Sunday 22 January 2012

Be Filled With All The Fullness Of God




that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
God, who is not poor in any sense of the word in any area, desires that His people be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man and be filled with all the fullness of God. The LORD who restored to Job is his losses and gave him twice as much as he had before can do everything but fail. None of His purposes can be withheld from Him and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us - the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead after the world, flesh and devil did their worse to Him.
It is a fact that Jesus, now as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is no longer poor or weak anymore as He was when He walked the earth as man. He is now once again unlimited in power, riches, strength and might. But the best news is that because of what Jesus Christ did on Calvary, God wants to use all of His power, riches, and resources on our behalf and to meet our needs: If we only will believe Him and trust Him to do it for us; If we will only humble ourselves and on a bent knee give Him our all and ask for His all. Then we shall know the truth of God’s word which states:
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31
Yes, the word of God tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and you can be made whole through your faith in the finished work of Calvary where Jesus Christ wounded for our transgressions, was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Sin, sickness or any other curse doesn’t have to rule and reign in our lives because Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14).
Jesus has provided for our healing, Spirit, Soul and Body in the atonement. All of the provision of the cross must impact the body of Christ. Jesus Paid the Price for our Healing - "By His Stripes" (Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24) Hence we are anointed and sent to: Preach the Good News to the Needy, Bind up the Brokenhearted, Proclaim Freedom for the Captives, Release the Prisoners from Darkness, Proclaim the Year of the LORD's Favor, To Comfort all Who Mourn, To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18)
God is alive and well and present today! Jesus is still healing people! The presence of God and the power of the Holy Spirit is a precious gift that we can experience and see many lives are being changed as desperate people come and find God's grace and mercy flowing to them bringing healing and encouragement. The anointing increases as we are press in for more of God! Then we can see God save people, heal people, deliver people, baptize in the Holy Spirit, bring encouragement and strength through the gifts of the Spirit. Many can receive from the Lord healing for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs and live lives that are whole and successful.
God is love and freely gives everything we need, both for our material and for our spiritual existence. But because the blessings of God’s spirit are so freely given, we often take them for granted. If all people had open and receptive hearts, they could see and hear God’s voice at all times and in all places. But we have lost this awareness. Through prayer, we learn to appreciate spiritual gifts, gifts that are at least as important for life as air and water, heat and light. Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. For when we have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and King by the faith God gave us, the victory now resides in us and God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask, or thing. As God’s word is unchanging:
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
It is a fact that according to the power that resides and works in us, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think and give us one hundred percent victory, one hundred percent of the time, in one hundred percent of the situations. After all He is God, not man! It is also a fact that Jesus, now as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is no longer poor or weak anymore as He was when He walked the earth as man. He is now once again unlimited in power, riches, strength and might. But the best news is that God wants to use all of His power, riches, and resources on our behalf and meet our needs: If we only will believe Him and trust Him to do it for us; If we will only humble ourselves and on a bent knee give Him our all and ask for His all. Then we shall know the truth of God’s word which states:
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)
As a result of what Jesus did on the Cross-, by faith everything is ours now. Jesus Christ has substituted all things on the cross for us and exchanged it there for us. Our death, defeat and poverty and curses have been nailed to the Christ. On the Cross Jesus Christ not only won real victory and redemption over sin and death and the world, but also over the wicked arch enemy Satan and all his angels who had made the Cross necessary by what he did to Adam and Eve. The enemy had deceived and entrapped Adam and Eve to sin against God and live a life that was cursed and full of toil and trouble. But on the Cross Jesus Christ did the great exchange. He exchanged His sinlessness for our sins, His righteousness for our unrighteousness, His strength for our weakness, His boundless supply for our needs, His stripes for our healing, His riches for our poverty, His victories for our defeats, His triumphs for our disappointments, His glory for our shame, His Honor for our nothingness, His prosperity for our lacks, His joy for our sadness, and His fullness for our emptiness. But all of this is also something that must be revealed to us by the Holy Spirit before we can understand and partake of it fully. Yet it is all our birthright and the blessing of the fullness of the gospel of Christ.
The message of the cross and the Gospel is not only that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He is now is seated at the right hand of the Father with all power given unto Him in heaven and earth waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. But the message of the cross and the Gospel is also that as a result of the victories Jesus won on the cross, He has now given and shared all that He has with us and He is also with and for us continually. God in Christ Jesus has literally become our inheritance and great reward; as well as everything else which we need, including our healer and deliverer. As result of the Cross, God said about Jesus and of us who have become strong and overcomers:
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
As a result of the cross, in Christ Jesus, we are rich, victorious and have a new life in Christ Jesus, as we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The empty Cross now also stands as a reminder and says to the world and to all the demons of Hell “You did your worst, but God gave His best. Now things are no longer the same, because Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father waiting for His enemies to be submitted to Him. He has also now given us the power to subdue all His and our enemies through the use of His name and Word and dependence of the Spirit. Hence the Cross is also a real testimony of what God’s power can do no matter what the Hell or injustice that the world or the devil will throw at us. For Jesus’ resurrection after a cruel and awful death signifies the real possibility of total and complete victory in our lives, hearts and circumstances as well in the current time of life as we trust in God just like Jesus did.
The empty Cross now says to you and I, that for every defeat there is victory in its place, for every failure there is success, for every weakness there is grace, for every sickness there is healing, for every hatred there is love, for every injustice there is justice and for every poverty there is riches. All of this and much, much more belongs to each child of God because of what Jesus did and won on the Cross. Hence we can by the Holy Spirit understand what the Lord said to Apostle Paul:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Our strength and victory comes from God Himself and all the victories He had won for us on the Cross of Calvary. Although in the annuals of time and history, our Creator God died on the Cross-on Calvary, but He didn’t stay there. He arose triumphant and victorious over everything, over the worst that the devil or others could throw at or do to Him and to us. Because of the cross of Christ, God has reconciled all things to Himself whether things on earth or things in heaven for Jesus having wiped out all the enemies of His people and especially the requirements that were against them, He has taken it out of the way having nailed to the cross. It is when the power of Christ rest upon us, because of our weakness, that we are truly strong. For it is then that we rest upon the Lord and walk in the power of His might and Spirit and not our own. As we by faith tap into all the riches and resources of heaven which are now ours by Christ Jesus because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross two thousand years ago we become more than conquerors.
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords with His unlimited and unimaginable power and riches was never poor or debased. But He chose, because of us, to leave behind his infinite power and riches become a man and identify and relate to humanity in all its sufferings and ways. God in Christ Jesus stripped Himself of His royalty and Kingship. He then became an ordinary man and walked with men doing by faith and dependence on the Holy Spirit the impossible such as healing the sick, raising the dead and cast out demons. He did it all to show that we can do it also. Then the innocent Son of man and Son of God went to a Cross-on a hill called Calvary where He bled and died for all of humanity.
But the Cross-was not the end of Jesus Christ or life, it was the beginning of something new, a New Covenant or New Testament. It was the beginning of a new life and a new man and a new Spirit for those who would accept what Jesus had done for them. It was the beginning of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. As a result God’s word was now true:
“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’ Joel 2:16-21
Now all flesh can be saved, healed and delivered and walk in the newness of life in the power of the Holy Spirit. All men can prophesy, speak in tongues and be filled with the fullness of God. The good news of the Cross-is that the different victories that Jesus won there, and the resulting New Covenant with all its rights and privileges, is now ours to be claimed and accepted by faith. They will be true if we will only believe, accept, confess and act on it and then allow the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead to change us. Jesus won for us, on the Cross, such a victory with such power and might that it made hell tremble and Heaven sing with joy as the Triumph of Victory resounded from one part of Heaven to another. Our ears will tingle and our hearts will sing, as the faithful and mighty Holy Spirit reveals this victory to us.
The fact remains that Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God, ready to use His power on behalf of the good of His true children; to make them more than conquerors in all things that the world, the flesh and the devil would throw at them. For His word is unchanging:
“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
In the world lack of strength and dependence on others is considered weakness, but in the kingdom of God weakness that causes us to depend on and trust in the Lord is great strength and blessings. For it is when the power of Christ rest upon us, because of our weakness, that we are truly strong. As it is then that we rest upon the Lord and walk in the power of His might and Spirit and not our own. As we by faith tap into all the riches and resources of heaven which are now ours by Christ Jesus because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross two thousand years ago we become more than conquerors.
As a result of the victories Jesus won on the cross we are now delivered from the hand of our enemies, and are able to serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. Just like Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit stated about God and us:
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. Luke 1:68-75
“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Genesis 9:13
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
It is true that Jesus came to earth as a poor man and was born in a stable. But it’s also true after His death He, as a rich man, was buried in a rich man’s tomb and upon His resurrection He sat at the right hand of the Father. But the best truth is that after the Cross Jesus literally is no longer poor, powerless or helpless in any sense because He took back all that was literally His. All power, riches, and authority in heaven in earth have been given back to Him.
As a result because of what Jesus Christ had done on the cross God is now using all of His riches and resources and power on our behalf, for the good of those who really trust and follow Him and give Him their all. God’s true ones don’t have to be poor anymore, in any sense of the word, in any area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, physical and financial.
For through the cross of Christ God has remembered His covenant with His people that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to grant that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. For the words of Jesus are true for ever more:
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Our God was not and could not be defeated by the worst that demons, circumstances or people could do to Him. He is an overcomer! As a result of Jesus’ real victories on the Cross, we don’t need to be defeated by anything and we can be overcomers. Because by Faith we are already overcomers, especially as we mix the Word of God with our faith and not with unbelief.
Now God’s word has much to say about overcomers:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ‘ Revelations 2:7
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ‘ Revelations 2:17
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelations 3:5
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Revelations 3:12
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. Revelations 21:7
In Christ Jesus and because of the power of the Holy Spirit all the riches and resources in heaven are now ours. For God has made provision in Christ Jesus for His chosen and called ones to overcome and be overcomers. As God gives His All to those who give their All to Him; To those who sell everything to buy the pearl of great price which is Jesus Christ.
Hence, a result of the finished work at the Cross, God’s word is true:
‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. (Luke 15:31)
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:18-22
We need the power and the help of the Holy Spirit to make the victories of the Cross and the riches of God’s word to be a total reality in our hearts and lives. For the American Heritage Dictionary defines sal·va·tion:
(s²l-v³“sh…n) n. 1.a. Preservation or deliverance from destruction, difficulty, or evil. b. A source, means, or cause of such preservation or deliverance. 2. Theology. a. Deliverance from the power or penalty of sin; redemption. b. The agent or means that brings about such deliverance.
In Christ, we now have the possibility of present and future salvation in our difficulties, troubles, circumstances and needs. For God’s word is true:
“Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:10-12)
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)
As a result of the victories of the Cross and the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, we now have an exceeding greatness of God’s power available towards us who believe. For the God’s word is true:
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
“What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:17-23)
You and I are the real Church, and not the building somewhere on a street, and we now have by faith the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe, because of what the Father-God did for Jesus at the Cross. Now Jesus is not poor anymore, we can talk, preach and participate in “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:8) He is our friend, brother, husband, wife, provider, savior, Lord and the Source of our total supply.
We, as believers and disciples of Jesus, can now add to our lives the exceeding greatness of His mighty power, the exceeding riches of His grace and the exceeding abundance of His abilities to do above all that we ask or think, according to that power now lives and works in us, and to become literally filled with the fullness of God.
The question that we must ask ourselves is what is the dimension of the fullness of God and his exceeding power, riches and abundance? The answer is that it’s our limited by our faith and what we believe! For God’s word is unchanging:
Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:26
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Romans 3:3
Abraham, the Father of the children of faith, contrary to what it looked like, believed that what God had promised, He was able to perform. Faith is of grace and not of works therefore God’s honors faith. For Abraham believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things, which do not exist as though they did. Contrary to hope, in hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
Not being weak in faith, Abraham did not consider his own body, already dead nor and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed-God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:16-22
In the kingdom of God there is a principle that men only get what they believe for. Jesus expressed this principle in His words according to your faith so be it to you. So it’s very important what you believe and know about God and about His covenant with His trusting ones.
"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:25-27
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a miracle as:
mir·a·cle (m¹r“…-k…l) n. 1. An event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural in origin or an act of God. 2. One that excites admiring awe. 3. A miracle play.
A miracle is something that God does that man cannot do! The birth, life, ministry, and resurrection of Jesus were and are a miracle. Jesus was born miraculous of a virgin by God and was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, to go about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. The bible records for our profit and instruction about Jesus and Philip:
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know- Acts 2:22
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8
Christianity is a miracle religion of signs and wonders just like Jesus and Apostle Philip demonstrated. Being born again and filled with the Spirit of God takes a miracle for it’s something that man cannot do but God will gladly do for those who trust in Him. For God’s word is true:
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:1-8
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Acts 19:1-7
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts 19:11-12
Take miracles out of Christianity and you have a dead religion that has a form of godliness but denies its power. But by faith God’s anointed ones can tap into all the riches and resources of God which are theirs by Christ Jesus and get the miracle that they need. For God’s word is true:
So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.
Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:1-7
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and obedience to His words and commands give miracles to those who obey Him and His spoken words. For God’s word is unchanging:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:1-11
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:22-25
The word of God teaches that there are real consequences in the current time of life depending on whether we are righteous, humble and wise or wicked, proud and foolish. As a result God gives people who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. God’s word warns us that He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Proverbs 29:1). Yes, God’s word is unchanging:
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. Proverbs 11:1-6
Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 'and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.'
"Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, "who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day. Deuteronomy 1:29-33
All of God’s word and promises are true including each verse and each line. But the choice belongs to each person as to whether he will believe and obey God or he will not! The children of Israel, who were miraculously delivered by God from their Egyptian oppressors and saw God’s great judgment, signs and wonders upon them including the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction and drowning of their enemies in it, chose not to believe that God would fight for them in the Promised Land according to all that He did for them in Egypt before their eyes. As a result they never went into the promised land but died in the wilderness of their own choosing! These kinds of things do happen to men even in the current time of life. They make wrong choices and choose to believe false men instead of God and suffer the consequences of their foolishness. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
"But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." Matthew 7:14-27
Sincerity and presumption are not a guarantee of anything including salvation. You can be very sincere and presumptive and drink a bottle labeled poison and die from it? So similarly false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves, deceive many of God’s people and they miss God’s best for their lives. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Matthew 20:28-35
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Being born again and filled with the fullness of God’s spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying, laying hands on the sick so that they will recover, and performing miracles is part of the Gospel that Paul preached. To deny or reject these things to preach another gospel for God’s word is unchanging:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
To be ignorant of Spiritual gifts and not to pursue them is against the word of God and the teaching of Apostle Paul and is definitely the preaching of another gospel!
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. "But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
"You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
"Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:16-22
Jesus Christ who knew the hearts of men was not blind and stupid and was more than aware of what they would do. He knew and proved the fact that they would praise Him one day and the next day murder Him. He warned His disciples that they were sheep in the midst of wolves and were to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But they were also to beware of them who would hate them and murder them. It is interesting that Apostle Peter when talking about the Jews who killed Jesus said
"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree." Acts 5:30
Stephen the first martyr of the church told the religious leaders who later stoned him:
"You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. "Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it."Acts 7:51-53
Both of these true men of God called the religious leaders of their day murderers. Stephen’s word were quite on the mark about them – “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”
Apostle John writing about men stated:
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:19-21
Evil men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. They do not come to the light lest their deeds should be exposed. They try to put out the light by murdering the messengers of God who tell the truth. This has not and will not change as long as earth remains. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. "Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 'yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "
Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-18
God has promised to avenge speedily His own elect who cry out day and night to Him though He bears long with them just like He did with the murderers of Jesus.
Now the religious leaders in their jealousy and envy did not understand Jesus and hated Him for making people whole especially on the Sabbath. They did not care for the sheep in their care but only for their own self-preservation, which Jesus by His miracles threatened. So they sought out any method to kill Jesus and finally succeeded. But in murdering Jesus they destroyed themselves, their city and their nation. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, "that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. "Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! "See! Your house is left to you desolate; "for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' " Matthew 23:34-39
Many blame the devil for negative things that happen in their lives but they would be amazed that God who has created the destroyer to destroy was in the midst of all that had happened to them. He measured to them the same measure that they measured to others. But hypocrites, blind guides, serpents, brood of vipers, and lawless ones, even though they are religious or political leaders will not escape the condemnation of hell. Jesus’ murderers did not? What happened to the wicked generation that Jesus talked about? Were the Jews blessed by God or cursed by Him for murdering innocent Jesus? Down through the centuries His blood was on them and their children and they paid for their foolishness many times over! But God vindicated Jesus Christ by raising Him from the dead and destroying His enemies, those who murdered Jesus, just like Jesus warned them about:
But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' "Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" ' "For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" Luke 23:28-30
Now God’s judgment, even in the current time of life, is never pleasant! Where is Sodom and Gomorrah or Korah and his friends, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown, after God’s judgment, not His blessings, hit them? They all became a nonexistent thing. As a matter of fact the Dead Sea in Israel, where Sodom and Gomorrah once stood, is exactly that a dead sea. There is no life in it at all. It’s dead! It is the lowest body of water on Earth, which averages about 1,312 feet (400 m) below sea level.
God’s judgment on men for their evil and wicked deeds, including murdering innocent Jesus, is never pleasant, as Flavius Josephus in writing about “The Siege of Jerusalem, AD 70” testified:
Throughout the city people were dying of hunger in large numbers, and enduring unspeakable sufferings. In every house the merest hint of food sparked violence, and close relatives fell to blows, snatching from one another the pitiful supports of life. No respect was paid even to the dying; the ruffians [anti-Roman zealots] searched them, in case they were concealing food somewhere in their clothes, or just pretending to be near death. Gaping with hunger, like mad dogs, lawless gangs went staggering and reeling through the streets, battering upon the doors like drunkards, and so bewildered that they broke into the same house two or three times in an hour. Need drove the starving to gnaw at anything. Refuse which even animals would reject was collected and turned into food. In the end they were eating belts and shoes, and the leather stripped off their shields. Tufts of withered grass were devoured, and sold in little bundles for four drachmas. http://www.loyno.edu/~rspipes/chicken/seige.htm
There is a real price to be paid for rejecting truth and doing injustice, even in the current time of life, as the people of Jerusalem who murdered Jesus could testify. By 66 AD Life in Jerusalem had become a nightmare, it was so full of violence and misery. Famine and food shortages become an everyday problem.
Then in 70 AD Titus marched against the city with four legions of the Roman army. They laid siege to Jerusalem and using their battering rams they breached the walls of the city. Fleeing citizens of Jerusalem were caught by the Romans and were tortured and crucified. Later the whole city was destroyed and the people of Jerusalem paid the price for ignoring Jesus warning about what would happen to them. These kinds of things do happen even in the current time of life!
TITUS now promised that the Temple should be spared if the defenders would come forth and fight in any other place, but John and the Zealots refused to surrender it. For several days the outer cloisters and outer court were attacked with rams, but the immense and compact stones resisted the blows. As many soldiers were slain in seeking to storm the cloisters, Titus ordered the gates to be set on fire. Through that night and the next day the flames raged through the cloisters. Then, in order to save the Temple itself, he ordered the fire to be quenched. On the tenth of August, the same day of the year on which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Temple built by Solomon, the cry was heard that the Temple was on fire. The Jews, with cries of grief and rage, grasped their swords and rushed to take revenge on their enemies or perish in the ruins.
The slaughter was continued while the fire raged. Soon no part was left but a small portion of the outer cloisters, where 6,000 people had taken refuge, led by a false prophet who had there promised that God would deliver His people in His Temple. The soldiers set the building on fire and all perished. Titus next spent eighteen days in preparations for the attack on the upper city, which was then speedily captured. And now the Romans were not disposed to display any mercy, night alone putting an end to the carnage. During the whole of this siege of Jerusalem, 1,100,000 were slain, and the prisoners numbered 97,000.
Many hedonistic religious ones who call themselves Christians pick and choose to read and know only the nice parts of the bible. They do not want to hear about the judgments of God or the fact that those who become the enemies of God, by their own choices and actions, are not blessed by Him by rather are cursed and destroyed by Him. Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 2 John 1:5-6
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14
Jesus Christ who spoke to men the words that the Father had given Him promised “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted!”
Now many religious hedonistic ones who want to know and hear only good things should open their ears to this particular promise about what happens to those who trust in themselves that they are righteous, and despise others. God is not blind nor foolish even though they might be! He is still a great man of war and the judge of all the earth and He renders to each one his or her due reward. And the rewards that God gives, as many times the enemies of God’s people found out, are not always positive ones. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.
"Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces. And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble. Exodus 15:1-7
Most of us know the story of how God delivered faithful and true Daniel from the den of lions? But how many of us know the story of what happened to the enemies of Daniel who put him there in the first place? The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter."
So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."
And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed."
So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."
Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6:10-28
Yes God worked a sign and a wonder and He delivered Daniel from the power of the lions! But the same God also worked another sign and wonder He caused the king to give a command and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is the Lion of Judah? But one thing you do not want to do is to get a roaring Lion upset? For the consequences of arousing a lion can be very costly and hazardous to ones health. As God’s word is unchanging:
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." Revelations 19:11-18
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD'S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:1-3
No matter what God’s children are going through, God has promised for His trusting ones to make their latter days better than their beginning. His word is true:
"Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, and the valleys, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations." 'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are around you shall bear their own shame.
"But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. "For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. "I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. "I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
"Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you bereave them of children." Ezekiel 36:6-12
No, the fate of the righteous and the unrighteous are not the same, even here on earth! For God’s word is true:
"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
"Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. Acts 7:9-11
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2-4
While famine and great trouble had come over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, Joseph was immune from it. God had protected and provided for Joseph and his family in the midst of famine that had come upon the land. His word is true:
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19
The LORD knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. Psalm 37:18-19
Yes, those who are upright and trust in the Lord shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied for God Himself is their provider, healer, and deliverer and all that they need! His word is true:
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:1-9
Yes, God is a good God who can be trusted no matter what is going on in the world. He is not like the others. He is good, faithful, true and compassionate! He is the salvation of the righteous and their strength in the time of trouble. He shall help them and deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. He desires and wills that His children have total and complete victory in all the battles of life and be more than conquerors and overcomers. He doesn’t want them to just get by but to live in victory and prosperity and abundance. His wants to fight for them and to triumph gloriously on their behalf against all their enemies. His word is unchanging:
Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me. Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long. Psalm 35:23-28
God’s seasons are not at the command of mortal men. Just because at the first stroke of the flint does not bring forth the fire, doesn’t mean there will not be a fire? God’s delays are not His denials. For His trusting true ones God always hears their prayers and will answer them in due season. Hence they have need of perseverance and endurance for the miracle answer will come from the God of miracles. They need not fear but are to let their hands be strong for God will save them and they shall be a blessing. As God’s power and resources are unlimited and not dependent on their limited power and resources. His word is unchanging:
And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:5-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 2 Corinthians 1:3-10
So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. Luke 14:31-32
The American Heritage dictionary defines victory as:
Defeat of an enemy or opponent. 2. Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle. 3. The state of having triumphed.
No matter what problem we are facing, be it our sins, the wrongs that we have done, the injustices of others, and the things that we have not done, victory is found in surrendering to the Holy Spirit totally and completely and letting Him work unhindered, unrestricted and unlimited in our hearts and lives. For Jesus said something that is still true today:
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. John 14:15-19
Surrender to the same Holy Spirit that was on Jesus and about whom was said of Him and others:
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 11:1-5
But it all starts with the first step of recognizing we have a problem that we cannot solve nor deal with and recognizing who is the solution and the answer to the problem - Not us but the Holy Spirit! It requires an act just like another son did, a son who journeyed to a far country, and wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all he began to be in want. So he worked fields feeding swine and wanted what they had. But God's word states:
"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." ' "And he arose and came to his father.
But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. Luke 15:17-24
The answer was simple, he came to himself and recognized his problem. He took action and went to his father and stated he had sinned against heaven and in his sight and was no longer worthy to be called his son. He humbled himself and asked forgiveness and was ready to face the music.
What did he get for his deeds? Compassion and a feast and they began to be merry. Well our Heavenly Father is more than willing to forgive those who admit their sins, turn from them and ask for his forgiveness and for the best that heaven has to offer them.
The problem is that the enemy has deceived and blinded God's people of how good God is to those of humble and contrite hearts. To those who say “I have sinned and failed you but with your help and power I am willing to change and make amends.” To such as these, heaven is wide open with blessings and riches of God Himself that men have not ever seen yet.
Otherwise those who take their sins and deeds lightly and continue in their way will find themselves facing a furious king who will destroy them and their kingdom. Just like King Saul was destroyed. It might take some time but it will happen.
It’s our choice we can return back to our Heavenly Father and that wonderful Holy Spirit who alone can do all the things that we cannot do or face the music? For this is the beginning of sorrows for those who have too long pretended to be God's good shepherds. This is the beginning of the exposure of these evil men. God is here in our midst, He will move on our behalf in a spectacular way. We can not imagine what He has in store for us if we surrender. The Healing and Victory He has in store for us is only the beginning. We have to cling to Him as we would to our mother's side when we were children. He is the breath of our life. He is the healing breath of our soul. He is the healing change of our spirit.
Our road and walk with Him can be full of His blessings and healing and changes. It can be truly marvelous and spectacular. Then our good fortune will be the envy of others. But few will desire it because they don't understand what it is to pay the price for it all. But nevertheless it's our choices that determine the resulting consequences.
God is setting His people free. He is delivering them from the bondage of wicked, corrupt men. He is moving, moving, moving. He is the great Whirlwind and He is changing the very fabric of the social landscape around them. He is changing it and placing Him mark upon it. It will never be the same again. It is changing right before their very eyes. For change comes with His Presence. God's true ones can watch and witness His great changing Power on the land around them! It is marvelous to behold. The Nation will never be the same again. All will see His great change upon the land and the people! This is only the beginning! For God’s word is unchanging:
'But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,' says the LORD of hosts. 'For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew- I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these.
And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.' Zechariah 8:11-13
"Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:6-8
God desires and wills that His children have total and complete victory in all the battles of life and be more than conquerors and overcomers. He doesn’t want them to just get by but to live in victory and prosperity and abundance. His wants to fight for them and to triumph gloriously on their behalf against all their enemies. His word is unchanging:
Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, To my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; And let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!" Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up." Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me. Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long. Psalm 35:23-28
God’s seasons are not at the command of mortal men. Just because at the first stroke of the flint does not bring forth the fire, doesn’t mean there will not be a fire? God’s delays are not His denials. For His trusting true ones God always hears their prayers and will answer them in due season. Hence they have need of perseverance and endurance for the miracle answer will come from the God of miracles. They need not fear but are to let their hands be strong for God will save them and they shall be a blessing. As God’s power and resources are unlimited and not dependent on their limited power and resources. His word is unchanging:
And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?
"I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:5-10
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 2 Corinthians 1:3-10
We should hang on to FAITH, regardless of the circumstance. Our Lord owns everything. There is not anything that is not His. If Jesus did not defeat Satan what good came of His dying? We are to pray and say:
Oh Holy God, we lift up the Words You have given Your Prophet. We hold on to our Faith regardless of circumstances. Oh Jesus, it is You that walks with us everyday. It is You that gives us the power to say to the mountain, be gone in the Name of Jesus. You, Jesus, are the Good Shepherd. You tend to Your sheep. You pick us up and brush us off. You hold us gently in Your arms. Help us to remember Your love. Help us to know that before we were born, all of our needs had been met through Your Bloodstained Cross. We thank You for everything You have done for us.
Father God in the mighty name of Jesus we ask that you to open the windows of Heaven on our family and pour out a blessing that they can not contain as it is written. We rebuke the devourer in this family, and command the devil to give back what he has stolen from their finances, wealth and heath in Jesus name.
Yes, God has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness according to His divine power. As we meditate in the Word, faith comes. God's power arises to do exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or think. It is faith in the heart that works! As we dwell upon and talk God' Word and see our need met by God's solution, the power within us becomes activated. When that power is released in words, "We have those things which we say."
Yes, God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to us in abundance so that we may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient, possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. For God’s word is unchanging:
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
When Moses stretched out his hand over the Red Sea and the Lord commanded the waters to divide so that the children of Israel could cross over to safety, no one had ever witnessed anything like it. God did a new thing in the eyes of His children. He fulfilled His word:
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. Isaiah 43: 19-21
Yes, God can make a way where there is no way, He's a WAYMAKER!!! We serve a miraculous God that is able to create a new thing to meet our need. He sees what we are going through and He wants to help us. He is a God that promises He will take care of us. "He'll meet our every need," not only in our finances, but in all areas of our life. But to make sure our prayers aren't hindered, we must go before the Lord, repent of any sin and release anyone we are holding unforgiveness towards. Through our faith in God's Word we will see our every need and desire met! For God’s word is unchanging:
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-20
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily Colossians 2:6-9
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him. But deceivement is a real problem for many Christians because they go off tangents and worship a truth or a man who brought them the truth. However, we are not to worship no one or nothing but God, and God alone. As we have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so we are to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith. We are not to allow anyone to cheat us through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition and ideas of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him alone dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and He has the answers to every problem that we face!
Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States (1801-1809) and author of the Declaration of Independence, one of the greatest men who ever lived, stated:
I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.. – Thomas Jefferson Letter To Francis Hopkinson, Paris Mar. 13, 1789
"Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the world with a right to his own person, which includes the liberty of moving and using it at his own will. This is what is called personal liberty, and is given him by the Author of nature, because necessary for his own sustenance." --Thomas Jefferson: Legal Argument, 1770.
The harmony of life is based on One’s understanding of who your Creator is. He is not a thing out there, He is a Person and He has feelings. Your relationship with Him is not like any other relationship you have experienced in this Universe. He is both sensitive and rational. He is warm and tender, yet wise and full of judgment. He is both caring and ready to do justice. He loves to be loving and compassionate, but if He must, He will be judgmental and assertive.
He is all things to all men that some may be won to His Kingdom, but He will not compromise His values and position to avoid doing what is an unpleasant thing. He does not try to avoid the unpleasant. If you arouse His anger enough He can become very angry. If you do what is wrong, you will be punished, in this He is unflinching. He is the great Creator and He will not be moved by men’s moods, attitudes or black-mail. He will only be moved by faith and a deep trust in Him.
Yes, God does have His timing and His choosing and His ways. He does not necessarily fit into people’s perception of Him. They think He is only a God of love, mercy and grace but He is also a God of judgment. He forgives but He also brings the consequences of people’s behavior upon themselves. He even brings it upon their children to the third and fourth generation.
Many think that He is a liberal God but He is not a liberal. Some think He is a republican God but He is not a republican. He is the LORD of this universe and what He says goes! Men can think as they please, they can do as they please and they can go where they please. But if what they think and do, does not please Him they have missed Him and the consequences of their actions will be exacted from them. For He is a person of great price! He demands their all! He demands their hearts! He demands their souls raised to Him! No, He doesn’t ask little He asks all for He is the Great I AM!
Those who persist in doing things their own way will eventually pay a terrible price for it. Though it may appear that no price has been paid, looks can be deceiving. We as men, love to deceive ourselves that all is well with us and wrong with everyone else while we betray God and is calling for our lives. We forget that we have to have an intimate relationship with Him that transcends all our desires, plans, purposes and goals in life.
If our goals and plans are totally submitted to Him, we can expect He will probably change them for the better if we just trust Him. He is in a far better position to guide us into a deeper more meaningful life than we could ever think up on our own. He is able to do what we could never think out or dream of. He is able to deal with our out of control inner man who only wants things for self. He is able to set our compass straight and chart the right kind of course for our life. He is just the kind of God. He loves us so much.
But, we must give Him a chance. Not for a week or a year but for a lifetime. If we don’t we’re the losers and so is He because He loves us so much He will lose the love He desired from us. Our place in the Kingdom will be empty because only we can fill that place. His is able to lead us to the special place just for us in the Kingdom but we have to follow Him with great fidelity and respect. He is able, not because we say so in words, but because in His own strength and power He is truly able to lead us out of our Armageddon into the Promised Land! The choice is ours. Do we really want Him at all costs, or do we want our own way and our own desires because without Him we are not going to make it no matter what the world says.
The world is not making it without Him despite how they act and what they say. They may appear to be very successful in terms of worldly success but that has nothing to do with real spiritual success. It doesn’t mean we should not try to be financially accountable and successful in the world, but it should not be our priority. The Lord should be our priority. As we lean on Him and do what He has called us to do we will be both spiritually and carnally successful.
If we are not successful we have to look to the Lord to show us why, so we can turn it over to Him to change with the understanding we can’t change ourselves only He can. Our relationship with Him is based on a mutual trust. We trust Him to change us, He trusts us to remain faithful and true to Him. This cycle of success breeds more success until we begin to see one victory after another in our life.
Then, this cycle of success breeds a lifestyle of success until we are truly more than conquerors through Christ Jesus and can now lead others into this right kind of lifestyle in Him. This is true success! What more can you ask except to know you are in harmony with your Lord and Savior and the world around you. There can be no greater satisfaction than this. That we have helped others toward the right kind of life that will bring them health and freedom to be themselves and in turn love those around them. A world set free from sin and death there can be no better victory!
Imagine a world walking in the victory Jesus Christ provides. People free from emotional upheavals, depression, despair and grief. People genuinely happy to see each other and love one another helping one another when needed. Open to the Commandments God has given them to follow. Doing it out of the gladness of their yielded hearts. Doing the will of the Father with all of their soul and very being. Avoiding backbiting, gossip, slander, evil speaking and all other forms of nasty qualities such as envy, jealousy, cowardice, selfishness, anger, rage, strife, rejection, pride, arrogance and many other such evil behavior. All of it is not of Him. He is the author and finisher of our faith and we need to take all of our faults, flaws and problems to Him and He will give the power to overcome because He is able.
How often we have come across carnal Christians who have not given their sinful nature over to God and witnessed the devastating results in churches and para-organizations world over. We need Jesus. We need the Spirit of Jesus in Christians today. We need to get on our knees and stop looking to our neighbor. Yes, they have their problems but so do you. Look not on the speck in your brother’s eye before you care for the beam in your own eye.
Take care of that beam first then gently remove the speck in you brother’s eye. Gently, beloved! Not roughly, cruelly or without regard for the destruction of your manner. Love is the rule. We all respond to love even when we don’t appear to. We all need it. We’d rather scrape and fight for it than admit we need it, so we scrape and fight and wonder why no one loves us.
It’s because we are going about it the wrong way. If we knew we were loved unconditionally we would yield if we’re smart. If that is our true goal? If not, even our wrong motives will be revealed and we will be exposed to God and man. No one gets away with their behavior and wrong motivations!
God is no fool. He knows us intimately. He loves us purely. He defends His own when they surrender and become humble before Him and others. He is the greatest forgiver on this entire planet. No one escapes His piercing glaze. It is we who must swallow our pride and admit we are wrong! Ouch! That hurts! Wrong! Ouch!
But once the thorns are removed what sweet relief. It’s even better if we can walk with Him in personal fellowship and watch Him guide us through life with the wisdom from above. Those who chose to follow us can do so. Those who chose not to, are equally free. But, I know from personal experience that only those who humble themselves and yield to the Heaven Father are the truly successful on this planet. The Lord marks a man’s success by the purity and motives of His heart and He alone knows what’s in the human heart! His word is unchanging:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:12-14
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:11-15
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:1-7
Faith, motivated by love, not logic or reasoning, is what pleases God! Sincerity and presumption have nothing to do with it. The children of Israel were sincere and presumptive and they still were defeated by their enemies. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
"Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea." And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel make against Me.
"Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: 'The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 'Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. 'But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised. 'But as for you, your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness. 'And your sons shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of your infidelity, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness. 'According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.
'I the LORD have spoken this; I will surely do so to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.' "
Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land.
Then Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, and the people mourned greatly. And they rose early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, "Here we are, and we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised, for we have sinned!"
And Moses said, "Now why do you transgress the command of the LORD? For this will not succeed. "Do not go up, lest you be defeated by your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and you shall fall by the sword; because you have turned away from the LORD, the LORD will not be with you." But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp.
Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah. Numbers 14:25-45
The children of Israel rebelled and refused to listen to the LORD when He told them to go in and possess the Promised Land. As a matter of fact they believed the cowardly and unbelieving spies rather than Joshua and Caleb. They took up stones to stone Joshua and Caleb and brought the glory of the Lord to come down. The Lord would have destroyed all of them had not Moses interceded for them that God would forgive them. So God forgave them and granted them their stated desire to die in the wilderness of their own choosing.
The men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, and brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD. While Joshua and Caleb remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land. The children of Israel repented and rose early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, "Here we are, and we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised, for we have sinned!" But Moses told them that it was too late, "Now why do you transgress the command of the LORD? For this will not succeed. "Do not go up, lest you be defeated by your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and you shall fall by the sword; because you have turned away from the LORD, the LORD will not be with you."
But the children of Israel presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp. As a result the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah.
The children of Israel did not use their faith to please and obey God the first time and would suffer the consequences of their sin and disobedience. The second time they substituted reason and presumption for faith and still did not obey God but went up to the mountain top to fight the Amalekites and the Canaanites, not believing, that the LORD, was not with them because they had turned away from the LORD. So they were defeated and fell by the sword before their enemies. These kind of things do happened in life when men base their decisions and actions on reason and presumption rather than faith and obedience!
Nevertheless by faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. For God’s word is unchanging:
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:30-40
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:6-10
When the Good Lord was rebuking Job for questioning His goodness and power He said to him:
Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you That your own right hand can save you. Job 40:9-14
One of the great Characteristics of God that is very evident in reading the bible is that He looks on everyone who is proud, and humbles him. He looks on everyone who is proud, and brings him low. This is quite evident in book of Daniel chapter 3 when mighty king Nebuchadnezzar's heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. As a result the king wrote:
Nebuchadnezzar the king, To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. Daniel 4:1-2
And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?"
At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. Daniel 4:34-37
Looking at the attitude and deeds of religious and political leaders in America and their pride, I am afraid that many are going to be humbled by events in life that they cannot control. Maybe if they are wise they will learn their lesson that those who walk in pride God is able to put down? Or maybe they will find themselves in the same place as king Nebuchadnezzar's son king Belshazzar who knew and heard about all that his father went through and did not learn at thing? As a result Daniel would tell him something he never expected to hear:
"O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.
"But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. "Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
"But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. "And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
"Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. "And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. "This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; "TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; "PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians."
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. Daniel 5:22-31
Yes, God lives forever but man is here today and gone tomorrow. God’s dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. As King Nebuchadnezzar wisely stated:
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?" Daniel 4:35
There are many who think that by defending the status quo they will have achieved God’s good will because after all has He not given the words and interpretation to them and them alone. They think that they are the only ones who have received the invincible truth of God and they are the custodians of the interpretation of that truth.
If God had called only one people to that knowledge then He would not have included the Gentiles. However, He did include them and the rest of the world because He had given the truth to ALL who would receive it. And, He had given them ALL the truth and not just part of it as the many religious ones have. They have only part of the truth and not ALL of it and in this they are arrogant and smug assuming things they ought not to assume and presuming to throw out truer Children of God than they are.
There are two sides to every coin and the many religious ones have one side of it and are full of their own pride because of it, having becoming Pharisees in their thinking and believing they have made themselves of no value to the God whatsoever. They stare at one side of the coin and vigorously shine it up and proudly present it to all who will listen, in the meantime having missed the other side of the coin completely.
It takes two sides to make up a completed coin and in this case, the other side is the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit in human lives on earth. When Jesus resurrected from the dead and in returned to the earth, briefly, in great Power and Glory He sent the Comforter, or the Holy Spirit, to the Children of God in the upper room. They began to manifest the Power of the Holy Spirit in speaking in other tongues, in witnessing the manifestation of cloven tongues of fire resting on people and they received boldness to speak the truth to men.
To deny the Power of the other side of this coin is to deny the LORD of Hosts and His ability to change men. He has His methods to bring healing and change to human kind and it is foolishness to intellectual men-so be it! The knowledge of the Bible is one side of the coin but the Word and Power of God is the other side of the coin and one cannot really exist without the other and visa versa.
Both sides of the coin are necessary in order to make a completed whole. The wholeness of man is very important to the LORD and He desires men know all the truth about Him and His purposes for men. He wants them to know to "Receive" all of His truth and not just the parts they chose to receive. Unbelief is still unbelief. If you can't receive it, it is because you don't believe it and the loss is yours. God doesn't need your approval He desires your obedience to His methods and ways. Obedience is better than sacrifice. His word is unchanging:
But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"
And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."
Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on."
So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"
And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."
Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:14-23
Samuel also said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD. "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 'Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.' "
So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.
Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. 1 Samuel 15:1-9
Frank Sinatra had a popular hit song titled “My Way.” He must have been thinking of king Saul when he sang the words “I did it my way!”. But King Saul was a total failure as far as God was concerned. Sure King Saul had the praise and gratitude of men but not of God because he failed to heed the voice of the words of the LORD to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.”
As a result of his foolishness, Saul not only lost his kingdom but his life was cut short by God. Saul never made it into the Faith’s hall of fame for his disobedience and his claim to fame was:
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. But he did not inquire of the LORD; therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14
We see from the word of God that it’s possible to obey God in part and do things “my way” rather than God’s way and be rejected by God for rejecting “His way?” How many people will find themselves when standing before God after life is over in a place they never expected to be because they had done things their way rather than God’s way.
Now Jesus Christ who is our example never did things His way. As a matter of fact God’s word records for our profit and instruction:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21
Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You."
But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:47-50
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34
"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. John 5:30
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38
For Jesus and for all the true brothers and sisters of Jesus, the primary importance in life is doing the will of the Father and not their own will! Mind you the world, flesh and devil do not like doing God’s will but rather their own will. But God’s word is unchanging:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 John 2:15-20
Those who are off the world do what the world does and those who are off God do what God wants them to do! Here is the difference between those who are truly born of the Spirit and those who think they are. Those who are born of the Spirit desire and chase after God’s will while the others do not! The worldly or carnal ones fail to understand that:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." James 4:1-6
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:5-10
These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:17-22
Unlike men, the word of God always tells the truth, including the fact that for those who have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and they are again entangled in them and overcome, their latter end is worse for them than the beginning. Yes, for those who like Judas, betrayed the Lord, it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Matthew 10:1-4
Even though Judas was a disciple of Jesus and later became an apostle, he still betrayed Jesus. He was a thief who had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. So it was easy for him to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The bible records:
"The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." Matthew 26:24
Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve. John 6:70-71
So it possible to be a disciples of Jesus, an apostle and a devil? After all apostles are only human beings, disciples of Jesus, who have been given power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. For God’s word is unchanging:
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. Acts 15:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! 2 Corinthians 12:12
The signs of an apostle were that he demonstrated the power of God in signs and wonders and mighty deeds? But there are those who deny that apostles and prophets exist today because they are false. For God’s word is unchanging:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:13
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1-3
The existence of false apostles, false prophets, and false teachers, doesn’t invalidate true apostles, true prophets and true teachers? But the word of God does warn that many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. For God’s word is true though every man be a liar:
But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5
The King of Kings and LORD of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, by an angel told his servant Apostle John, who was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, to write what he saw in the Spirit to the seven churches that were in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
To the angel of each of the churches John gave a specific word from the LORD including to the church of Ephesus to which he wrote:
These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent. "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' Revelations 2:1-8
History tells us that each of the churches did not receive the word from the LORD that John had given to each church including "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” And as a result they ceased to exist. The city of Ephesus became a desolate wilderness when the sea receded quite a few miles and its harbor was lost.
Now men have made Jesus Christ to be a warm ball of wool who would never hurt or really judge anybody in the current time of life. But nothing is further from the truth for John wrote to an existing church in Thyatira and talked about how God will kill people and all the churches shall know that Jesus Christ is the One who searches the minds and hearts. And He “will give to each one of you according to your works.” The bible records for our profit and instruction:
"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ' These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
"Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. "But hold fast what you have till I come. "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations- 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'- as I also have received from My Father; "and I will give him the morning star.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Revelations 2:18-29
Many religious ones, who call themselves Christians, choose to be pacifists because they do not believe in killing. Yet “I will kill her children with death” are words that come out often out of the mouth of God, especially when people are given time to repent and do not repent. It is not only a New Testament message but an Old Testament one also. It was a message that was preached by prophet Jonah against his will. The bible records:
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" Jonah 3:1-4
Many of God’s people don’t like to think of the truth that one of God’s attributes or characteristics are that He is not only a “Man of War” and the “Judge of all the earth” but He kills people, especially His adversaries, even if they are His people. For God’s word is true though every man be a liar:
"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.
"For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:6-10
"Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 'and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.'
"Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, "who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.
"And the LORD heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, 'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, 'except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.' Deuteronomy 1:29-36
The promises of God are true for those who believe God and obey His voice and not for unbelievers, even if they are God’s people. Out of all those who were miraculously delivered from Egypt over the age of twenty only Joshua and Caleb, who wholly followed the LORD, saw the good land that the LORD had promised to give to the children of Israel. The rest, including Moses, did not go into the Promised Land but wandered in the wilderness until they died.
Men can say and believe whatever they want but God is not fooled by them. He knows those who truly believe Him and those who do not. As a result He rewards each man accordingly and many will find themselves in places they never expected to be. Just as Jesus promised some servants will be cut in two and their portion appointed with the unbelievers. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. "And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
"But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?"
And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. "Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.
"But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
"And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:37-48
Where is man going that he can do it himself. He walks ever so proudly in his great accomplishments and understanding. He is certain he is doing the Lord's perfect will for his life but his life is based on his own bias and inhibitions. This is the dilemma. Can man truly please God? Can he surrender so totally that he can be perfect before him? Was Joseph perfect? It says he was tested and then placed in Pharaoh's employ above everyone else in the land because he was faithful to the Lord and did what was right. It does not say he ever murmured or complained. He walked faithfully until the Lord promoted him.
We walk in the light we are given. If our teachers taught us many half-truths we walk in those half-truths and they have become apart of our life. We believe they are totally true and praise our teachers for a job well done. Yet,if we look at the facts. Our teachers have really failed us because the fruit of what they have taught us speaks louder than the words we have heard.
Teaching is something that must bring us to the real person of Jesus. We must be lead and released into the Power of the Lord in our lives through the Presence of the Holy Spirit. We must ultimately end up being independent Christians able to hear the Voice of our God and be individually directed by Him in our lives. Our relationship with Jesus must be fluid and based on the truths in the Bible. We must have our integrity and common sense in tack plus our spiritual radar fully functional. Then we may actually become useful to the Master, but this only happens as we are properly taught, adequately feed and remain open to the instructions of the Holy Spirit within us. We must learn both our collective responsibly to the entire body of Christ and our responsibility to ourselves to mature and grow that we may be useful to our Lord and the community at large. We must not give up our intelligence to our leaders or teachers. If they are allowed to control us they have become our master and not the Lord. We must be wise in recognizing when we are being manipulated and held captive by those who are our mentors. They may lead us to the Lord but they may not live our lives for us. Only we can do that before Him. Anything else leads to worship of the wrong source.
The primary Source of our lives, goes without saying, is the Lord Himself and His Holy Spirit within us. He gave us the Comforter when He was resurrected by the Heavenly Father. He left apart of Himself on the earth in the Holy Spirit. With this new spiritual development, had come our responsibility to walk faithfully before the Lord, informed of the real truth, and full of His Power through the indwelling Presence of Himself in us.
The short of it is, we are responsible for what we learn and the direction our lives takes because we have the Holy Spirit of promise living in us. His powerful presence in our lives means we don't have to be deceived by what the world is teaching, by what our Christians leaders and evangelists are teaching or by what our minds are saying. We have a source of truth within us. We have direct contact with the Lord of Heaven in us. It is up to us to establish communication with the Holy Spirit on a regular basis in daily living in order to maintain our spiritual integrity and walk with the Lord of Hosts. If we allow our minds to stray too far or our bodies to do things outside of Biblical truths we have no one to blame but ourselves. If we cover our sin or do it in secret and think God won't expose us we are much mistaken.
God is the inventor of integrity and He exposes every secret evil. Everything will be exposed and judged. It may be surprising to note that the consequences may very well happen on earth during our lifetime. God is not blind and He loves justice and integrity. He will not stand for evil having the upper hand. There is a day of reckoning.
One of the false teachings is that God will judge only in the hereafter. This is not true. God also judges in the current time of life. He will expose evil. He will expose false teachings. He will do justice right now. He hates certain evil people. This is another false teaching that is floating around. That God loves evil people. God created and loves His creation but if they do evil continually He does not necessarily continue to love them. The Bible says Jacob He loved and Esau He hated. Does that sound He is always loving? I don't think so.
Therefore, we must be discerning. We must be wise. We must be full of Heavenly understanding. We must be discreet. We must be full of the Holy Spirit to discern where God really stands on an issue or a circumstance. We must not assume anything about God. He is very fluid in all of His judgment calls and decisions. He cannot be held to any hard fast rules of judgment. We are not in the position to say when He will judge, or how severely He will judge it and so on.
This is strictly His decision but it is based on the person's reaction when they are exposed. If they react that they have done nothing wrong and refuse to change, then they are probably headed for severe exposure and judgment. If they are pliable and teachable when rebuked they will probably receive the degree of judgment or mercy based on the degree of their repentance. If they totally turn from their evil, make restitution, and return to their God then they will probably be forgiven.
As you can imagine, men's lives are very complicated and God's decisions towards men are equally complicated. Therefore, no hard fast rule of judgment or decision making on God's part can be applied to every circumstance of man. He judges us as individuals and based on the condition of our heart before Him. If we are truly evil He will treat us as such. If we are His but have fallen into sin He will treat us based on our repentance and behavior after we have repented. He is not fooled even though we may choose to deceive ourselves.
King Saul, was chosen by God to serve as leader for the Israelites at that time. Yet, when God relied on Him to follow His orders concerning other nations or division of labor, Saul fell down miserable. So much so, that God repented of making Him king and appointed someone else, namely David. How is it that God could not forgive Saul of his sin? Saul thought sure he was pleasing God. So first, he was self-deceived into believing he was doing God's will but he did not do it totally and he felt this was still acceptable to God. But, God did not think so. He wanted total obedience from Saul because God does nothing without a purpose behind it and He knew the importance of Saul's total obedience to Him. So God gave Saul a chance to be king but Saul fell down miserably and peppered God's commands to him with his own logic. This simply doesn't work with God.
God doesn't want our logic mixed up in His commands to us. If He has commanded it, it is because there is a real danger awaiting us on the other side if we don't obey. So, He knows what awaits us if we disobey Him. Yet, somehow, in our logic, we think we can out think God. We know better than He does. This is self-deceivment. We deceive ourselves that our logic can produce good. It cannot. Only our utter obedience to God's voice and commandments will bring about good in our lives and in those around us.
Can we learn from Saul? Can we walk in the wisdom of the Lord and the direction of the Holy Spirit? If it were not possible than why does God expect it of us? It is because it is very possible that we are called into His service in obedience and love. We fall short because of our disobedience. But God is faithful, He provide a means to get up and go on. He wants us to repent of our sin and return to Him confident of His forgiveness and mercy. He is willing to overlook our sin if we return to doing exactly what He says and not what we think He is saying. Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom, but they who do the Father's will! Let the Lord be your guide into all truth and submit every thought and every teaching to His scrutiny. He will expose all the impurities in your life and make you one with Him.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:4-8
Jesus Christ who doesn’t lie clearly taught that there were real benefits to abiding in Him and His words abiding in His disciples. Those who abide in Him could ask whatever they desire and it shall be done for them! But Jesus Christ also taught that there were serious negative consequences for those who did not abide in him. They would be cast out as a branch that is withered which men gather and throw into the fire to be burned. So those who have made the Lord to be their Source of total supply and allow His words to abide in them, can prosper, bear much fruit and see their prayers answered. While the others for whom Jesus Christ is not Lord and their Source of total supply must examine and change their ways or they will not prosper, nor bear fruit nor see their prayers answered. For God’s word is unchanging:
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
"Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:21-26
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
Not agreeing with God or others could have serious negative consequences. Agreeing with God and others could have very positive blessings. Great peace and great good come to those who are in full agreement and submission to God in every area of their life, including the financial area. Agreeing with God is simply agreeing with His Word made real by His Spirit. But true prosperity comes from agreeing with all parts of the Word and not just some particular passages of the word. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. Job 41:10-11
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3
"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. Luke 15:31
Everything under heaven including silver, gold, glory, victory and honor belongs to God and all that belongs to Him belongs to His sons and daughters. But in the kingdom of God, unlike in the world, to receive one must believe and one must give. For God’s word is true:
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 1:17-20
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
Those who are willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. While those who refuse and rebel shall be devoured by the sword. The measure that men measure to God will be the measure measured back to them. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him." For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:1-3
God who blessed and made Abraham rich and great is able to do the same for each one of His children. But it’s God’s people not God who determine whether they will be blessed or not by abiding in Christ and allowing all of His words to abide in them. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. "Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. Deuteronomy 28:1-6
God wants His people to be victorious, rich and wealth. He wants them to be the head, not tail. He wants them to be above only, not beneath in everything. He wants them to have the faith to cast out demons, heal the sick, and be a blessing to others. He wants them to live and walk in love. For God is love! Jesus is love. And He is the Author and Developer of their faith. Love is the Author and Developer of their faith! Love is the dominating force behind all aspects and operations of faith. Love develops faith and makes it work at its highest level. Love, as well as faith, is of the heart, not of the head. For God’s word is true:
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 10:10
God is a limitless God, and His provision is limitless. His grace and mercy are limitless for those who will receive of them. But it’s God power that works in His people and His word that abides in them that determines the abundance of God’s prosperity and goodness that will be manifested in their lives in the current time of life. Each person by his or her reactions to God’s power and word determines whether he or she will live in the abundance that God is able to provide. For God’s word is unchanging:
"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
"Therefore hear the parable of the sower: "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
"Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:18-23
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5
He makes peace in your borders, And fills you with the finest wheat. He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. Psalm 147:14-15
The Word and Jesus Christ are one and the same. He cannot lie and the Word cannot lie! So what God has promised in His written word He will fulfill. As a result for some He will bring deliverance and for others He will bring destruction. For God’s word is unchanging:
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze, And cut the bars of iron in two. Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:15-20
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. Isaiah 31:1-3
The LORD has promised great wealth and prosperity for those who fear and trust in Him. His word is true:
Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:12-14
I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. Proverbs 8:17-21
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. Proverbs 28:25
But those who are proud cannot expect prosperity but rather demise and punishment. For God’s word is unchanging:
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. Proverbs 15:25
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Proverbs 16:5
A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. Proverbs 21:4
There is no virtue in being proud! Jesus Christ is the deliverer of many men's souls for without Him men can do nothing of any importance or value. Yes, He has given many giftings to men. They can swim expertly, drive trucks, build towering buildings and so on but they have missed the point. If what they have done is not unto God it has no value in the Kingdom of Heaven and profits little. For God gives everything man does value.
Man glorifies himself and walks about with great pride admiring his accomplishments and God looks upon him and his accomplishments with disdain. He is not pleased at what He sees that men are accomplishing because it is not in Christ or unto Christ. This displeases God and He refuses to bless such accomplishments. If the world is still functioning it is because of God’s grace more than any pleasure that He may derive from man's accomplishments.
Is there such a thing as freedom without consequences or freedom without reactions. Can men say, I am free to do as I like? No, men can't really say that but they make themselves believe and receive that and it brings them into greater separation from God. So, why do men do what they do? Can they really expect no consequences for their actions or words? No, they can expect a reaction but not from where they expected. It will come from Heaven and do the work of bringing justice to a wrong or an untruth. Heaven is not oblivious to what is going on, on earth. The Lord, knows and sees all things and will reward every deed good, bad or indifferent. He is not to be mocked what a man sows he also reaps.
When we operate under His anointing He directs us and uses us for His glory and brings glory even to ourselves but when we operate in our flesh, which is more than likely, we reap the rewards of the flesh, which is burnt up in the fire of the Holy Spirit. Can men say, they are free? No, because true freedom is a life yoked in proper service to the Lord of Hosts. He only can bring us into true freedom. But, true freedom has a price. The price is giving up our selfish will and following His leading and guidance by the voice of the Holy Spirit within us. This is called being "born again." Not what many religious believe, that being born again is saying you accept Jesus. This is only the first step in a life consecrated in an intimate walk with the Lord that produces the right kind of fruit. Real fruit is fruit produced in us by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. It is nothing we can produce in ourselves, yet many try and will wonder why their "hard work" will be burnt up as so much wood, stubble and hay. God only is the producer of everything of good within us, something many of us find hard to accept. Somehow, we were "taught" that if we did it right we would be spiritual. But, true spirituality is simple surrender and desire to serve only Him-the King of kings and Lord of lords.
We have failed to see what was right before our eyes-that there is nothing good we could offer Him within us. Even the lowest whore is equal to us. Our pride has defiled us already. We are corrupt, unclean and of no value as we are, even when we think we are doing His will. Our outward traditions and forms are empty clay vessels. There emptiness is proven by the fruit in our lives. Little love. Little comfort. A lot of empty fellowshipping, and no miracles of any lasting value. Yet, when we touch the Lord of lords and King of kings and surrender our pride, traditions and desires to Him, He quickens our life and makes us what we ought to be. Now, we are serviceable and useable. Now, we are ready to do His will and not ours. He can move in our lives and make the Word and doing of it possible with much tender fruit coming from us. This is true service and a true intimate relationship with Him. Above all we must not deny what is written on paper in the Word of God before us. We must seek His way and not ours. For God’s word is unchanging:
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:16-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18
"I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? For what is the allotment of God from above, And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is it not destruction for the wicked, And disaster for the workers of iniquity? Job 31:1-3
It’s very foolish for men to speak on behalf of God. Primarily because most people, including sincere religious ones, do not know really know Him. A prominent columnist in writing about the judgment of God stated:
Abraham Lincoln said that the Civil War came because of slavery and because America had “forgotten God” and was “intoxicated with unbroken success…too proud to pray to the God who made us.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn said communism strangled the Soviet Union for seven decades because his people had “forgotten God.”
…While God allows bad things to happen, it is His nature to do only good and to bring good out of evil. How do I know this? Was I “in on the meetings”? No. Psalm 5:4 says, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil…” Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers — yet became Pharaoh’s right-hand man and supplier of grain to the starving — said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 45)
When columnists become theologians then we are really in trouble! The statement “it is his nature to do only good and to bring good out of evil” is false because we know from the book of Job that the devil could not bring evil upon Job without God’s permission. Although it was the devil who brought evil upon Job, it was God who allowed it to happen. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"
So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"
And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:1-12
Although Job was blameless and upright, and feared God and shunned evil, God for His glory and honor allowed the devil to remove from Job all that he had including his sons and daughters and to inflict Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.. But Job held fast to his integrity no matter what evil he had to endure from God. The bible records
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!"
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:7-10
God can do and will do with man whatever He wants for after all He is God who has created and sustains all things including the spoiler to destroy. For God’s word is unchanging:
"O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake."Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:11-17
"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
According to the bible, the word of God, God is in charge of all things on earth including good and evil. So ultimately it all comes from Him including adversity and evil and pestilence. Everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. For God’s word is unchanging:
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, "saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
"Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? "It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Luke 14:25-35
The storms and adversities of life will separate the men from the boys. It will separate those who love God for only what He provides and those who love Him for Himself. Job lost everything but He did not curse God and held to his integrity. So similarly all will be tested by God to see if their faith is real or if they are hypocrites. For God’s word is unchanging:
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, Though he may gain much, If God takes away his life? Will God hear his cry When trouble comes upon him? Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call on God?
"I will teach you about the hand of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal. Surely all of you have seen it; Why then do you behave with complete nonsense? "This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, received from the Almighty: If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword; And his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. Those who survive him shall be buried in death, And their widows shall not weep, Job 27:8-15
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Most con artists are very pleasant, kind and amiable people or they would not be con artists? Similarly one of the great ploys of the devil is to pretend that he doesn’t exist and to blame negative things on natural elements, hereditary things or other people. But the word of God clearly states that our adversary walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He has come to steal and to kill and to destroy and he doesn’t have the best interest of his victims. He is a murderer and the father of liars and there is no truth in him. For God’s word is unchanging:
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
"But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. "And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. John 8:42-50
Darkness, deception, lies, and diseases are some of the devils favorite tools that he uses to ensnare people who fall into his traps. For God’s word is true:
Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."
He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me."
Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. "And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"
Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9:17-27
And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."
The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" Luke 13:11-16
Jesus cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. As a matter of fact He commanded His disciples to:
"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
Jesus spent a lot of time in His miracle ministry casting out demons and healing the sick. He disturbed the religious hypocritical leaders who were devoid of God’s power and they said He was demon possessed. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? "And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. "Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:22-32
Jesus Christ the author and founder of the Christian faith taught that one of the signs that the kingdom of God has come upon men is when demons are cast out by the Spirit of God. He warned men not to attribute to the devil the work of the Holy Spirit or they will not be forgiven for this sin either in this age or in the age to come. He told all of His disciples to “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Unless they are not the disciples of Jesus, God’s people are commanded to do what Jesus has told them to do including casting out demons in His name. For God’s word is unchanging:
Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side." Luke 9:49-50
And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. " Luke 11:14-15
Jesus never apologized for casting out demons and performing curses even though the “dead” Pharisees didn’t like it and wanted to murder Him. But God’s word is unchanging:
On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, "Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You."
And He said to them, "Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' "Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! "See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' " Luke 13:31-35
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
"Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. "Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'
"But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 'And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' " Luke 13:1-9
No wonder most churches in America are anemic, impotent and useless to affect the society in any real concrete way. Most of the stuff that is taught in churches especially about the character of God and Jesus is totally against the word of God including the fact that God is a god God. Now it is true that God is a good God but He is also a God of Judgment and a very demanding LORD who looks for fruit from His creation or He will cut down barren figs. He even will take vineyards away and will give it to others. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. "Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. "And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.
"Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. "Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.
"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"
They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons." Matthew 21:33-41
More than one Jesus Christ has warned men that God will destroy wicked men and lease His vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons. What God has done before He can and will do again. Where are the seven churches in Asia minor to whom Apostle John wrote too and they refused to heed what the Spirit was saying to the churches? Their candlestick was removed and they became a nonexistent thing!
Why do men add or remove things to the word of God instead of taking the words of Jesus to mean what He had stated? Because they are foolish! They just don’t believe that God will turn against them for after all they are His, redeemed with the blood of Jesus. They ignore the fact that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. If God rejected His own people, the children of Israel, why will He not reject strangers who have been grafted to the vine? Yes, some will be cut off for God’s word is unchanging:
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. Romans 11:17-22
Man’s stupidity and ignorance doesn’t change God one bit nor His action and ways. This is something that men need to consider when they presumed things that have not been checked with the Holy Spirit. For according to Jesus unprofitable servants will be cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For God’s word is unchanging:
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
"Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
"After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
"But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 25:14-30
"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13
A simple perusal of the word of God and the teachings and statements of Christian denominations especially concerning apostles, prophets, gifts of the spirit, judgment and justice will reveal major differences between the words of Jesus and those of Christian leaders. Yet God’s word is unchanging:
"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
"Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46
Blind ones refuse to see the needs of others and anemic ones are in no position to help them. It is also a fact that you can be religious and go to church and never minister to the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick or prisoner. According to Jesus many scribes and Pharisees do just that and He has promised to vomit them out of His mouth:
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ' These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " Revelations 3:14-22
It is a fact that before you vomit something out you must digest it first? In others words God had accepted the Christians at the church of the Laodiceans to be His people. Because they thought themselves to be a rich, had become wealthy, and had need of nothing' but in reality did not know that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, He counseled them to buy from Him gold refined in the fire, so that they might be rich; and white garments, so that they might be clothed, that the shame of their nakedness may not be revealed; and to anoint their eyes with eye salve, so that might may their true condition. Otherwise He would vomit them out of His mouth if they were not zealous and did not repent. But if they would hear God’s voice and open the door He would come in to dine with them and they with Him. For to him who overcomes will Jesus grant to sit with Him on His throne, as He had also overcome and sat down with His Father on His throne. Therefore He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches including:
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ' These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
"You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' Revelations 3:1-6
Yes there are many churches and even denominations that have a name that they are alive but they are dead. Their works are not perfect before God. They must remember their first love and hold fast to it and to repent. Otherwise if they do not overcome they shall not be clothed in white garments and Jesus Christ will blot their name from the Book of Life and He will not confess their name before His Father and His angels. So much for the doctrine of demons of “Once Saved, Always Saved!.” Nevertheless the word of Jesus are unchanging and are to be heeded and obeyed:
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"
Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. "And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him. Matthew 12:28-34
It’s possible to know and believe everything about the bible including all its doctrines and not obey the first and second commandment of God and to go to hell. Fools do it all the time including the devil.
You can believe that God is the Eternal, infinite, unchangeable, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love and still not obey Him? You can believe that from all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal in power and glory and still murder, lie and steal? Why there are even pastors and preachers who do these kinds of things and yet they believe and say the different Christian creeds.
You can believe that God's kingdom is everlasting and that from His throne, through His Son, His eternal Word, God created, upholds and governs all that exists including the heavenly places, the angelic hosts, the universe, the earth, every living thing and mankind and that He created all things very good and still not trust Him to get your needed miracle?
You can believe that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him and He was cast out of God's presence and, as a usurper of God's rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth and still be deceived by Him and accept unknowingly doctrine of demons, such as “Once saved, always saved!”
You can believe that God created mankind in His own image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth and that under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth and through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation and live in defeat and failure and not manifest the victories of the cross in your life?
You can believe that Jesus came into the world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin as fully God and fully man in one person, was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to resist temptation, preach the good news of salvation, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead and not do the works that Jesus did?
You can believe what ever you want to believe about the bible, the old and new testament and not love your neighbor as yourself? You can graduate from Seminary, call yourself a Christian and reject the “Baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit” and be a blind one leading the blind?
You can be very sincere and religious and still go to hell for not obeying the teachings of Jesus on certain matters as being reconciled to an offended brother or not being a respecter of persons?
The things that people believe are one thing and the things that they say and do, as Christians, are another thing. This dichotomy or contradiction is very common in the lives of many people who call themselves Christians and yet they think that somehow God will make all things right for them because after all they are sincere and presumptive on His grace and they are His children? But God’s word is unchanging:
Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:1-14
God, who knows the hearts of all men, gives His grace to those who really need it, but no one fools Him. Those who continue to lie and deceive themselves and others that they are Christians, even though their actual behavior is against the word of God, will find themselves in places they never expected to be. Neither Peter nor Judas asked the LORD for forgiveness of their sin of betraying Jesus. But the LORD forgave Peter for betraying Him before men but He never forgave Judas for the same sin. For God’s word is unchanging:
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?"
Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." John 21:15-22
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. "And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:23-26
While men like things to be simple and clear cut? God and His kingdom is not! There are many things that we cannot understand nor will we understand until we get to heaven. Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, "and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
"Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."
' "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. "And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
"But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'
"So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
"So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen." Mathew 22:1-14
We see clearly from the parable that God does get furious and destroys those who deserve it, just like He did with Jerusalem and the nation of Israel in 70 AD for murdering Jesus. We also see that although many are called few are chosen. Those who like the man did not have on a wedding garment shall be cast out into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is a fact that Jesus Christ never had an altar call although He commanded all men to repent! Salvation is not as simple as men make it out to be. Even conservative Baptists theologians don’t agree on who is saved:
Unbelievers in Baptist churches: an 'affront to God,' speaker says
By Jeff Robinson Baptist Press Friday, July 27, 2001
WILMORE, Ky. - Is the Baptist Faith and Message being contradicted by Baptist church rolls? That's the question Tom Ascol posed during the 2001 Southern Baptist Founders Conference, July 17-20 at Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. The Founders Conference is a national meeting of Southern Baptist pastors and church leaders who embrace Calvinism.
Ascol, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., pointed to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as continuing the historic Baptist commitment to regenerate church membership. In practice, however, the denomination reflects a wholesale departure from it, he said, citing a North American Mission Board (NAMB) study indicating trouble at this crucial point of biblical doctrine, as well as church membership rosters filled with the names of "inactive" or missing members.
The doctrine of regenerate church membership holds that only born-again persons may be members of a local church. It is a historic Baptist distinctive, championed by all the historic Baptist confessions of faith, including the 1925, 1963 and 2000 statements of the Baptist Faith and Message.
"Our practice doesn't measure up to our confession," Ascol said. "The overwhelming majority of Southern Baptist church members give little or no sign of spiritual life. There are countless studies that have been done in the past 15 years that validate this."
As evidence of this jettisoning of regenerate church membership, Ascol cited figures from the SBC's 2000 church profile and a study conducted by the North American Missions Board which showed that:
SBC churches totaled 15.9 million members but only 5.5 million in total attendance on any given Sunday morning. "Only 33 percent of those who are supposed to be members care enough to come," Ascol said.
The typical SBC church has 233 members but an average attendance of only 70 persons for Sunday morning worship.
Beyond Sunday morning, only one member in 10 takes part in further church activities.
Less than one of every 10 persons who make decisions through the evangelistic efforts of Southern Baptist churches is active in the church one year later.
Ascol called such membership statistics a "sham" and "an affront to God."
They are many Christians who will say that “once saved, always saved” is true because a person accepted the LORD at an early age and was water baptized. Even though the same person may not have darkened the church doors in recent years or have read his or her Bible in 50 years. But there is more to “salvation” than just the first step of confession or profession! Just entering the race is not enough. There must be fruits and persistence and perseverance and holiness. For God’s word is unchanging:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:1-7
According to the word of God, you cannot be a fornicator, unclean person, a covetous man, an adulterer, an homosexual, a sodomite, a thief, a liar, a murderer, sexually immoral, or a drunkard and have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God, even if the person believes in the demon doctrine of once saved, always saved! Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Revelations 22:10-15
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. Psalm 91:1-8
God doesn’t lie though other do. Those who abide in the shadow of the most High God have unique benefits that others do not! They have the provisions and protection of God Himself who literally is their refuge, fortress, deliverer, shield and defender. For God’s word is true:
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:13-16
God is no respecter of persons and shows partiality to no one. What He has done for others including Abraham, David, Joseph, Job, and Jesus He will do for His trusting ones. They have His word on it. His word is true:
"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. "From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:3-9
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
Under the New and Greater Covenant God, who had already given His best His only begotten Son, and His counselor the Holy Spirit, so that His trusting ones might have life and live by the Spirit, will freely give all other things to them just for the asking in faith believing including health, prosperity and wealth. His word is unchanging:
"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. "Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.
"But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. "For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. "You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. "So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. "No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. "I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. Exodus 23:20-27
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.
"I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. "And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. Ezekiel 36:25-30
Yes to those who return to the Lord and love and serve Him with all their hearts the blessings of God are limitless, even in the current time of life. For God’s word is unchanging:
Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. Hosea 6:1-3
Yes, those who return to the Lord shall be healed, made whole, revived and blessed. Yes, for those who fear God’s name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and they shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. They shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of their feet when God does it for them. As God’s word is unchanging:
"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.
But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:1-3
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 3 john 1:2-3
And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:5-10
Jesus encouraged all of His disciples to pray to their heavenly Father concerning their needs, spiritual, physical, and financial and to ask, seek, and knock with a promise that “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” So if men are lacking anything and their needs are not being met it’s because they are not heeding the words of Jesus who clearly told them what to do including:
So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." Luke 11:1-4
God is more willing to give than His children are willing to ask. Heaven is full of things that were not given or done by God to His children because they did not ask, seek and knock! God’s has done His part and His sons and daughters must do their part. For God’s word is unchanging:
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 2 Peter 1:1-9
By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ God through His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. Promises that have no value if they are not believed, claimed and acted on!
It’s up to each children of God to add to His faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. Again God has done His part and redemption plan is finished! But God’s children have to enter in and appropriate the victories of the cross and see them become a reality in their lives. "For the persistence ones Jesus has promised that God will rise and give them as much as they need. As God’s word is unchanging:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man doesn’t avail little but much. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word much as:
much (m¾ch) adj. more (môr, m½r), most (m½st). 1. Great in quantity, degree, or extent. --much n. 1. A large quantity or amount. 2. Something great or remarkable. --much adv.
In other words the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man produces something great or remarkable and even miraculous. As God’s word is unchanging:
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.
Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:1-6
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11
Well if the prayers of one righteous man produce great results, how about the collective prayers of many righteous ones? They will produce even greater results:
So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:24-31
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."
Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.
And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" Mark 4:35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let us cross over to the other side" and they obeyed and followed Him. But a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. The fearful disciples were not proud or arrogant to admit that they needed Jesus’ help. So they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
Jesus did care and He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
But if the disciples were too proud to wake up the Lord and ask for His help, what would have happened? They would have suffered needlessly and would not have seen the miracle of the Lord saying to the sea, Peace, be still!" And the wind and the sea obeyed Him!
The word of God has much to say on the subject on humility and being humble that determine if men are blessed by God or are cursed by Him:
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. Psalm 9:11-12
For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. Psalm 18:27
The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Psalm 147:6
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4
Being proud and arrogant comes naturally to man and these are sins that God hates. As a matter of fact God goes out of His way to humble a proud person. The bible records for our profit about what God does to the proud ones:
Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, Bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you. Job 40:9-14
For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. Psalm 18:27-33
Yes, the Lord saves the humble people but He also looks on everyone who is proud, and humbles him. He looks on everyone who is proud, and brings him low. For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. His word is unchanging:
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:1-10
Those who humble themselves in the sight of the Lord He lifts them up. He will also forgive their sins and heal their land. For His word is true:
"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14
God really loves and defends those who are humble. Children are very humble and God really loves and cares for them. God’s true children who have humbled themselves just like little children are also really loved and meek and humble. And God has warned men not to touch or hurt His humble ones or there will be severe consequences. His word is true:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
"Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. Matthew 18:1-18
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24
For those who are sick there is hope in Jesus who is still the master physician who surrounds His trusting ones with love and mercy. He wants good things and health and life for them. He suffered that we might be whole. By his stripes we are healed. God almighty and powerful is full of mercy and grace. He sees what is happening with His own in the now and He cares. His word is unchanging:
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart's desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call Psalm 20:1-9
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle Psalm 103:1-5
Yes, all of God’s children can place their hope in the Lord and in His goodness. They can keep their eyes on the truth of His Word, the truth of His Promises. They can dwell on Him who is the same yesterday today and forever --not their circumstances, how ever negative they can be. They can trust in Him for He is good and He unlike their enemy, the devil, doesn’t lie. God’s word is unchanging:
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
"Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:10-13
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.
"Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:14-17
"Nothing is impossible with God." God wants to fulfill His promises in the life of His trusting ones, and by His great power He is able to accomplish that and much more. His word is unchanging:
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned. Psalm 34:15-22
God wants to give health and restoration to all of His trusting ones. He desires Heaven’s best for them. His word is true:
'Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. 'And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first.
'I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.
'Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.' Jeremiah 33:6-9
No the Lord is not the last resort to run to in time of need or sickness. He is the first resort to run to for He is the shield and high tower for His trusting ones, as well as their rock, refuge and exceeding great reward. His word is unchanging:
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:17-20
Since greater is the Lord who is in us then the devil that is in the world and more are those who are for us than those who are against us, we have nothing to fear! Especially as total victory for us is guaranteed over every enemy, be they demons or men! No matter what are the negative circumstances or situations we are to be strong and very courageous for God’s word is true:
"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. "From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:5-9
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"
So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see."
Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17
Yes, the eye of faith, by the Spirit can see things that the carnal ones cannot ever see – horses and chariots of fires are around God’s true ones to persevere and protect them. God is no respecter of persons and show partiality to none. His word is true:
'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 'and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.' Deuteronomy 1:30-31
"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. "And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 'for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you ' (to give you victory.) Deuteronomy 20:1-4
"Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. "The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. "The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 28:6-8
Yes, those who by the Spirit make themselves clean, cease to do evil, learn to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow and are willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 1:16-20
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8
The thoughts of God towards His people is of peace, not evil, to bless, save, heal, deliver and prosper them and to give them power to get wealth. God wants to give His people victory in all the battles of life. For God’s word is true:
"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13
The Lord is a shield to all who trust in him and He makes their way perfect. He makes their feet like the feet of deer, and sets them on them high places where they can call those things that do not exist as though they did. God’s trusting ones can take authority over the negative circumstances in their lives and treat them as mountains and tell them to move and they will move. They are at their command, as they use the authority that God has given them.
In Jesus name God’s trusting ones can speak to their mountains and say defeat become victory, crooked be made straight, injustice become justice, wrong become right, poverty become plenty, lack become abundance, negative things become positive things, sickness become health, weakness become strength, curses become blessings, loss become restoration, bondage become redemption, wealth and riches become a reality and mountains be moved into the sea and be no more! For God's word is true:
So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
The LORD remains always to His true ones THE GREAT I AM! God has given them the Kingdom when He had given them His only Son and His wonderful counselor the Holy Spirit. All of the Kingdoms great resources and power and Persons are at their disposal because of the name, which is above every name. The name of Jesus that is above every principality, power, diseases, sickness, lack, shortage, mountain, lack, enemy, need and thing under the sun or in the darkness.
Though, little they are not small. Though, weak they are not without resources. Though, helpless they are not without wisdom. Though, defenseless they are not without a defender. Their answer is always their Savior. He is their source of total supply. He is their friend and defender. They are to look to Him and not to the world, their friends, their family or themselves. There is no other who can deliver them but He Himself. He has not deserted them and has only begun His fight for He is their Lord and Savior.
God will provide for His true ones as well as all the things that the gentiles seek. That is for those who seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. As their Heavenly Father He has an obligation to provide for His true and trusting children -to those who look to Him the author and finisher of their faith. He will provide everything, even miraculously and give peace from the storm of lack of things. He has already given them His beloved Rainbow Jesus and all the riches and spiritual provisions that go along with it.
God is not limited at all. He has all the power of the universe at His disposal and He will not leave His anointed and true children desolate or destitute in any way. Because they are the friends of Jesus they are His friends also and they are all friends together. God’s word is unchanging:
I will lift up my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore. Psalm 121:1-7
"LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" 2 Chronicles 14:11
God's true ones are to keep to their faith and belief in Him. He will not let them down for He loves them too much. They must keep walking faithfully in Him for He is their way-maker in the middle of the desert. He will heal their land and bring them to a new place and renew their lease on life. He will not leave them in defeat, despair, or lack. He is the Way-Maker and they are not to look to anyone but Him. He is answers to all of life's problems as they rest on Him and wait with calm assurance in Him and His Word.
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' "For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah, which have been pulled down to fortify against the siege mounds and the sword: 'They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but only to fill their places with the dead bodies of men whom I will slay in My anger and My fury, all for whose wickedness I have hidden My face from this city. Jeremiah 33:1-5
God encourages all of His people to 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Now God will do great and wonderful things but not all of God’s signs and wonders are positive ones. As Egypt with it’s mighty Pharaoh found out, God’s signs and wonders were very negative and not a blessing?
God had promised to rescue His people from their bondage, and redeem them with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. The bible records:
"Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 'I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 'And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the LORD.' " (Exodus 6:6-8)
The children of Israel, who were miraculously delivered by God from their Egyptian oppressors and saw God’s great judgment, signs and wonders upon them including the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the destruction and drowning of their enemies in it, chose not to believe that God would fight for them in the Promised Land according to all that He did for them in Egypt before their eyes. As a result they never went into the promised land but died in the wilderness of their own choosing!
These kind of things do happen to men even in the current time of life. They make wrong choices and choose to believe false men instead of God and suffer the consequences for their foolishness. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 7 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
"But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." Matthew 7:14-27
Sincerity and presumption are not a guarantee of anything including salvation. You can be very sincere and presumptive and drink a bottle labeled poison and die from it? So similarly false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves, deceive many of God’s people and they miss God’s best for their lives. For God’s word is unchanging:
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Act 20:28-35
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Being born again and filled with the fullness of God’s spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying, laying hands on the sick so that they will recover, and performing miracles is part of the Gospel that Paul preached. To deny or reject these things to preach another gospel for God’s word is unchanging:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28
To be ignorant of Spiritual gifts and not to pursue them is against the word of God and the teaching of Apostle Paul and is definitely the preaching of another gospel!
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40
"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
For those who will love and serve the Lord like Joseph did, even as a slave and in prison, and hold to their integrity, God’s supply of riches and resources is unlimited.
'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD, 'that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: 'In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.' Jeremiah 33:14-16
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
God has a season and perfect timing for all things, including when He shall perform for His children, His church and the nation of Israel all the good things that He has promised them. Nevertheless God’s trusting ones are to ask, seek, and knock with a promise from God that "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” God’s word is unchanging:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 8 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18
Seasons for answers and showers of blessings are not under man’s control but God’s. Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
"I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. "Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. "And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid.
"I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. "Thus they shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people," says the Lord GOD.' " Jeremiah 34:25-30
The strength and resources of God’s people is nothing less than God Himself and all His riches and resources, no matter what they are going through. The excellence of the power is of God and not of us. For God’s word is unchanging:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed- always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-17
God’s trusting ones do not lose heart, even though their outward man is perishing; yet their inward man is being renewed day by day. Their light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, as they do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
In all things the life of Jesus and the glory of God is still manifested in them as God always leads them in triumph in Christ. For God’s word is unchanging:
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:5-8
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 14:14-17
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
God has a specific plan and purpose for each one of His children that He would love to reveal to them. But first they must surrender their bodies to the Lord and get Him to create in them a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within them. For God’s word is unchanging:
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:6-9
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Psalm 51:10-13
Whatever is not given to God by His people could end up destroying or damaging them spiritually. For God’s word is unchanging:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17
You can do great, marvelous and wonderful things in life and still not do the will of God. As a result it will not profit you at all in heaven. For God’s word is true:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7:21-23
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Although many of those who are called by God’s name cannot accept the fact, but lawlessness can be defined as doing your will rather than God’s will. Just like king Saul who did God’s will for the most part, but then substituted his ideas and ways in the process and was rejected by God, many of religious ones could find themselves in places they never expected. For God’s word is true:
Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying, "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.
So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal."
Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD."
But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"
And Saul said, "They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the LORD your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed."
Then Samuel said to Saul, "Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." And he said to him, "Speak on."
So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? "Now the LORD sent you on a mission, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.' "Why then did you not obey the voice of the LORD? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the LORD?"
And Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. "But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal."
Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:10-23
While the Lord of lords and the King of kings was upset that He had set up Saul as king, for he had turned back from following Him, and had not performed His commandments, Saul thought he had performed the commandment of the Lord and went to Carmel, where he set up a monument for himself.
Blind and deceived Saul did not appreciate at all that God did not delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, but in obeying His voice. He did not understand that rebellion was as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness was as iniquity and idolatry. As result because Saul had rejected the word of the LORD, God rejected him from being king.
Just because a group of people, even a large number of them such as a particular denomination, liked and did something for God, it is still lawlessness if it wasn’t the will of God. God’s will is quite simple and Jesus defined it quite clearly. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?
Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. "And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him. Mark 12:28-34
Based on whether people obey the first and second commandment makes them to be sheep or goats. Sheep go into eternal life and the goats go away into everlasting punishment. For God’s word is unchanging:
"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'
"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
"Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
"Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Mark 25:31-46
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16
God doesn’t lie. His Word is true and He keeps His word. If anybody is a liar it’s the devil and man for God’s word is unchanging:
"Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
"But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."
Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?"
Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. "And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death." John 8:43-51
The devil is a liar and so are his friends. The word of God warns us that some will depart from the faith and give heed deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy. They will speak great swelling words of emptiness. While they promise men liberty they only bring them into bondage. But God’s word is true:
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10
The wayward man is a man of empty ambitions devoid of the purpose and call of God upon his life. He walks in total evil self-centeredness and wonders why he is in trouble most of the time. He is happy only occasionally and that due to circumstances he is currently enjoying for joy is not really in his spirit or his heart. He walks in the shallowness of his every evil thought and wonders why he is not happy.
Happiness is a condition of man as a result of a right relationship with the Lord. It comes upon one when attitudes and actions lines up with the truth of Heaven. This is possible in the duration of time as one comes to a true understanding life is not selfish, carnal or temporal. It is other centered, spiritual and eternal. When one lives with this understanding then with time and attention for establishing the truth in one's life, one's existence may become productive for the Kingdom of Heaven and the precipitation of that is peace and joy in one's life.
Life is not meant for man but man for life. For life is only truly lived in the realm and presence of the LORD and his teachings. When one truly understands this, then Jesus' sacrifice on the cross begins to make sense. He provided the sacrifice and the alternative to selfish carnal living and opened the door to Heaven for mankind once again. For man broke his covenant and relationship with his creator long ago but recaptures it with the acceptance and a renewed relationship with Jesus his Savior. With this understanding, a spiritual dimension opens up in the man's life and once again he can have a personal and intimate relationship with his creator-The Father of Heaven-The LORD!
This awakening is only the beginning of his relationship. He must understand that he must acquire the truth each day for the rest of his live and continue to build his relationship with the Heavenly Father each day through Jesus Christ. This is possible only as he spends both quality and quantity of time alone in the Presence of the Lord. He sets aside time for spiritual refreshment and instruction.
The Lord specifically said, he had taken away Jesus so he could send the Comforter or the Holy Spirit to each one of His children who truly believe. This relationship with the Holy Spirit is the beginning of their relationship with the Father of Heaven and must be cultivated, nurtured and matured. This takes time, attention and teachableness. One must not be closed to new instruction, as long as it is not contrary to the written Word of God and falls in line with the personality of God.
This reawakening is possible through long hours of reading, meditation, study and prayer mixed with praise. Without this time in the dark room of God's classroom the immature never come to full maturity. The maturity process takes time and it can be speeded up if the person is willing to spend more time and effort with the Lord, until truth takes it's rightful place in the person's daily life. Just going to church and listening to a sermon on Sunday or any other day, won't do it. It's not enough because it takes quality time spent with the Holy Spirit that brings about real change in a person's spiritual life and ultimately in their outward daily living.
Change is only possible through the Presence of the Holy Spirit and keeping your spiritual eyes on the Lord. Changes comes about through spending time in God’s presence:
The Holy Spirit Can Change Anything About You!
He can change your circumstances,
He can change your mind,
He can change your personality,
He can change your relationships,
He can change the way you feel about things,
He can change anything,
If you will give Him one thing--
Time in His Presence!
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:30-34
God did not give men faith to be religious but rather that through faith they would subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, escape the edge of the sword, out of weakness be made strong, become valiant in battle, and turn to flight the armies of the aliens. For God’s word is unchanging:
So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well."
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:19-22
And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Mark 5:34
Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10:52
Yes, the use of our faith makes us well spiritually, physically and financially. Yes, the use of our faith helps us to overcome the world and gives us the victory. For God’s word is true:
And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.
"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' " Luke 17:5-10
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 1 John 5:4
Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith taught and anticipated that His true disciples would use their faith, even a mustard size of faith, to do greater works than He did in the current time of life and then say when you have ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ Yet God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel, Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation. Psalm 78:21
Unbelief is not faith and it’s not a friend but an enemy of God’s people that robs them of many things including mighty works, miracles and the moving of mountains. For God’s word is true:
Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58
So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
Jesus did some miracles for some despite people’s unbelief but not as much as He would have loved to do:
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:5-6
Jesus, Himself, taught that If one could can believe, all things were possible to him who believed. He even helped those who asked for help in this area:
Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. "And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me."
Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. "And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting. " Mark 9:17-29
Jesus, Himself, was exasperated with what He called a faithless generation. But He who is the Lord of all is more than capable of handling any situation and problem that is brought to Him in faith. Casting out demons in Jesus name is an authority that God has given to all His true ones and is in the great commission Jesus gave to His people.
Mind you some things do not come out except by prayer and fasting. Not so much because God’s power is limited but that men are so full of unbelief that they need to change so that they can be full of faith and power. For unbelief short circuits the power of God.
Unbelief and hardness of heart is something that God in Jesus Christ rebuked His disciples for. It is definitely not something that God approves from His disciples. God’s word records:
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. Mark 16:14
But God is faithful, even when others do not believe:
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. Romans 3:3-4
Nevertheless God’s people are to beware for there is an evil heart of unbelief which willfully makes a person depart from the living God through the deceitfulness of sin. For God’s word tells His people:
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."
For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12-19
Unbelief even causes God’s people to harden their hearts and rebel against God and as a result incur His judgments instead of His blessings. It results in the inability of God people to inherit or enter into the promises of God receive its blessings and gifts and callings. We see this in the life of a a priest named Zacharias, whose wife was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless and had prayed for years for a son. God’s word records:
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. "He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. "But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. Luke 1:7-22
It is interesting that the angel had brought good news to Zacharias to tell him that his prayer was heard and his wife Elizabeth would bear him a son. A son who would go who the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
But Zacharias did not believe the words of the angel, as he looked to his circumstance and situation. Hence, the same angel pronounced judgment on him. As a result Zacharias would be mute and not able to speak until the day these things took place, because he did not believe the words of the angel, which would be fulfilled in their own time.
It’s very interesting that God brought judgment upon once of His servants, a priest, who did not believe his words. Just like He brought judgment on the children of Israel when they came out Egypt for their unbelief in believing the negative reports of the cowardly ten spies. As a result of their sin the children of Israel never went into the promised land but died in the wilderness. For God does these kind of things even in the current time of life.
But Zacharias’ story did not end there. For on the eighth day when they came to circumcise the child, Zacharias wrote on a tablet, "His name is John." God’s word records:
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel. Luke 1:64-69
Zacharias filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied about the plans and purposes of God for His people that most people have not appreciated nor claimed. That the Lord God of Israel, not only has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for them in the house of His servant David.
As a result now they would be saved from their enemies and from the hand of all those who hate them. For God had come to deliver them from the hand of their enemies - so that they might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life. Deliverance from enemies and all those who hate them is in the Covenant which God has with His people. This is something that many have not accepted and as a result is not real to them because of unbelief.
But God has come in Christ Jesus to deliver His people from all kinds of enemies and to give them victory over them. For His word is true:
"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. "And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 'for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'( to give you victory) Deuteronomy 20:1-4
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Jesus Christ is the Way-Maker and Winds in every storm. Every man, woman and child must face the storms which He sends their way and overcome by the blood of the Lamb. There are no more crumbs off of the master’s table because now they have the real thing available to them. They have the real Jesus and His real Presence in the Holy Spirit. Yet, many perish and many more suffer needlessly because they have chosen their own way rather than the LORD’S!
They work their folly in many different ways but the end is still the same—destruction, devastation and great loss. Can men say they can live without the truth in their lives? No. Yet, many chose to live as though God don’t exist or as though the truth is not alive. But the truth and Jesus Christ are one in the same, they are both the Great I AM. For Jesus Christ is the truth personified. He is the healer and defender of all mankind, yet many chose to believe in “something out there” and assume He is on their side “no matter what!”
If this were true more people would be more of what they want to be doing rather than suffering and dying as they are. They would be more successful in the physical realm, which it appears they are not. They would be more successful in the spiritual realm, which appears they are. But, looks are deceiving and deception is conceived in the very heart of man. He is the first one to believe he is doing it right and is pure beyond all others, when the truth is far from their reality.
But men, even religious ones, have created a world for themselves that deifies their ways and glorifies their path and leads them to death. They think they have the reality of God’s Person and His truth and they have neither. So, what is the answer? How can men return to God when they have strayed far from Him? By bending a knee in true humility and saying with contrite heart, “I have sinned forgive me?” Then, recognizing their true worthlessness they turn from their pride and surrender each day from then on--to God alone.
But, winsome ways and proud hearts continue upon their dubious path and finally end in wayward destruction and can only ask—how can this be that I have ended this way? The answer is in the Word and their path. Had they lined one up with the other, the two would be one and there would be no difference.
But, men don’t understand the heart of God. They assume too much and presume the rest will be acceptable—‘somehow.’ That paths that have departed by an inch can become incorrigibly separated by a very long mile, are somehow acceptable to a perfect and loving Heavenly Father. This is true. He is a loving and Heavenly Father but one does not negate the other. His love does not include unconditional acceptance just because we whisper His Name and align ourselves a little with His truth.
The time has come for judgment and the resurrection light to dawn upon the sons of men. They have established themselves upon the earth and propagated and done what they desire to do but they have not done what God has desired them to do. So, now is the time of reckoning. They are receiving exactly what they desire—not more and not less. Each will receive his due reward.
A false front is a poor substitute for the real thing. Jesus Christ is the real thing and no man comes to the Father except through Me. So, let no man say he is able to stand when he can only fall continually. He is the greatest restorer of the breach and the only One who cares to restore at all. God’s people must return to Him for others will not be their salvation only Him. And He will do it with a mighty outstretched hand and great power! His word is true:
God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.
They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. I said, "You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes." Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations. Psalm 82:1-8
But the end is coming for many who thought themselves superior and above the truth. Their Waterloo is here. They have to walk by the Spirit of the Lord or pay the price for not walking by the Spirit. For God’s word is true:
The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, So that men will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth. Psalm 58:10-11
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' " Zechariah 4:6-7
The winds of change are blowing all across this land. The sea breezes are flowing and destroying the land. The helmet of salvation is full of holes. The arrows of discord have pierced it through. Many men say they have done better than them all. Yet, they walk in discord and love only themselves. They have turned to the right and the left without thought of what they have done. They forget their place and walk among the dead as one dead themselves.
Dead men’s bones can’t resurrect themselves. Only a God of mercy and grace can do this. Yet, they carry on in their pride and deceit and wonder why all their plans have come to naught. They curse the enemy and shake their fist at God. They turn their heads from right to left and feel sorry for themselves. They could never solve it except on both their knees. Yet, they continue on as though their LORD could be so easily led and deceived.
But, God is no fool. He knows their hearts. He knows their plans have no place for Him or his cohorts. His true Ones are never given place or recognized as “who they are” because then they would have to admit how wrong they are before Him. This they could never do so they’ll go along their merry way assuming they are doing God good will.
Generations march along living their vain lives, in assumptions of their own making, never coming to a knowledge of the real truth because they are so busy with their own lives. Oh, vain fools. Who told you to escape the wrath to come? Could you not hear the clarion call? Could you not see the simple truth?
There is no way but His. There is no path but His. There is no profit but His. There is no success save His. There is no other interpretation of the truth but His. Any other interpretation leads to heresy and death. You have chosen the way of death because you have chosen your own interpretation of God’s immutable truth.
When you refused to accept the gift of the Holy Presence in your life. When you failed to tune your spirit to His Voice. When you decided on your own understanding and interpretations. When you ignored the hurt and needy. This you did to your own destruction. You forgot the immutable truth—when you give sacrificially as the Lord told you tom you will receive multiplied back to you many times.
When you remain humble in the master’s service—you become useful and pliable to His very command and desire. Then you are truly useful. Anything else is purely self-deception. You can go on for a little while but you can never escape the judgment awaiting you. You forgot your first love. You thought and planned and schemed and forgot He is watching from above to judge the quick and the dead. He has not forgot you. You should have listened to Him while you could.
Now, that time of listening is over. Your pride stands between you. The wall is greater than any you could ascend yourself. You need to grow quiet and humble and this time both knees if you please.
The enemy is being totally destroyed this very moment. He looks up and asks why and God’s answer is the same as it is to all oppressors. You failed Him and therefore failed yourself in the process. You loved Yourself more than Him. You desired your own comfort and pleasures more than His Kingdom. Now, is your hour of destruction and oppression is the millstone around your neck.
The wayward always ask the same thing—“Why Am I suffering so much?” The answer is, “You are paying for the crimes you have committed in your body. You chose your own understanding. You chose your own way. You decided your own fate. Now, it is time to pay the piper. The enemy is defeated come what may.”
Heaven has not begun to do what it is capable of doing. It restrains itself to giving frail humanity a bit of mercy and a lot of grace. But, time is passing and still the answer remains the same. Oppression is marching on without remorse.
So, this is Heaven’s answer--the trumpet has sounded, the bugle has called, the ram’s horn’s clarion call has gone forth. The army is driving forth and armed for destruction of all who would think that sincerity is enough to appease the God of Heaven. Little do they know Him—because if they understood they would not do what they have done. They would cower in fear and beg for mercy and sue for peace.
But, as it is they don’t understand. Their ears are deaf. Their hearts are devoid of wisdom and truth. So, now is their hour of judgment. God is not to be mocked, what a man sows so shall he also reap. His word is true:
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As rivers of water in a dry place, As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The eyes of those who see will not be dim, And the ears of those who hear will listen. Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, And the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly.
The foolish person will no longer be called generous, Nor the miser said to be bountiful; For the foolish person will speak foolishness, And his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, To utter error against the LORD, To keep the hungry unsatisfied, And he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans To destroy the poor with lying words, Even when the needy speaks justice.
But a generous man devises generous things, And by generosity he shall stand. Isaiah 32:1-8
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Psalm 1:1-4
Sincerity and presumption are never a guarantee of anything including salvation. Just because people are sincere and presume something does not mean they will not be defeated and destroyed! We have a good example of this in the lives of the children of Israel who were told by God to go in and take the Promised Land. But they murmured and complained and decided that God was evil and not good and wanted to destroy them in the Promised Land. The bible records:
So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! "Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt."
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." And all the congregation said to stone them with stones.
Now the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel. Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? "I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." Numbers 14:1-12
As the children of Israel wound find out the hard way, it does pay to try to stone God's true ones. Although Moses would intervene on their behalf and ask God to forgive them, they would pay for their rebellion. Again the bible records for our example and instructions:
Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word; "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD- "because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, "they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.
"But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. "Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea." Numbers 14:20-27
The Lord who is the Lord sentenced them to live out their remain days in the wilderness so that their carcasses may fall there. He took an oat that none, except for Caleb and Joshua, would by no means enter the land that He swore He would make them dwell in. Their sons would be shepherds in the wilderness forty years, and bear the brunt of their infidelity until their carcasses were consumed in the wilderness. They would be rejected for forty years or one year for each day they spied the Promised Land. God then commanded them to turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea the next day.
It sure does not pay to make the Lord angry and put him to the test? For God doesn't take rejection likely but then neither does any person. The other fact of the matter is that God doesn't speak just to hear Himself. He speaks so that men will listen and obey.
Well the children of Israel thought since they were God's people and He was a good God, God would overlook their sin. So the next day they rose early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying to Moses:
"Here we are, and we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised, for we have sinned!" And Moses said, "Now why do you transgress the command of the LORD? For this will not succeed. "Do not go up, lest you be defeated by your enemies, for the LORD is not among you. "For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and you shall fall by the sword; because you have turned away from the LORD, the LORD will not be with you."
But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah. Numbers 14:40-45
Moses told the children of Israel that they were once again transgress the command of the Lord to go to the place, which the Lord had promised. He told them they would not succeed but be defeated by their enemies for the Lord was not among them. Since they had turned away from the Lord. But they presumed to go up the mountaintop and their enemies came down and attacked them and defeated them.
Presuming things and leaning to one's own wisdom and understanding is a sure recipe for failure and defeat. For God's word is true even this day:
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:22-23
How many battles are lost in life by God's people because they had presumed things and did not wait upon the Lord to hear and obey His voice and instructions on a particular matter? It is not wise to quick and so rushed to run about and be so busy doing nothing of any importance. Better to wait in faith and trust in God and follow the directions given by the Commander-in-chief of the armies of heaven.
God in a split second by the moving of His Spirit can do what men in their perspiration's and efforts cannot do in a thousand years. He can make the crooked things straight and the wrongs right for a start. He can set one up and put another down. He can raise one up and bring another low. His word is unchanging:
And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.
"Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed. "The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.
"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:6-10
God devises many plans and execute every one of them. He never lets His true ones out of His capable hands. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. The promise of the Rainbow is all His. Though the mountains be moved and cast into the sea, yet no harm will come to His true ones. For they have placed their heart in His hands and trusted Him with their very soul! God loves to care for His creation and they are the ultimate part of His creation! He will never leave, fail or forsake them, as they are the central joy of His heart!
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. Psalm 46:1-5
There is no one and nothing greater than God, who is for and not against His trusting ones. Just think of it, the God who created heaven and earth is the refuge, strength and very present help in time of trouble of His trusting ones. He shall help them and that right early. Mind you God doesn’t think like a man or does things the ways men do things. He has a wisdom, understanding and knowledge that are beyond those of men. Nevertheless the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and restored all things back to Him is for and with His trusting ones. He will do if need be greater miracles for them for He is their God!
God’s true remnant soldiers do not march alone or to their own tune. They march to God’s tune and serve Him in spirit and in truth. They desire all of His truth and hunger for it as one hungers for real food. The health His truth brings runs true to all God promises to His children. His life is health to their very bones. It is healing and covenant blessings. It is strength in the midst of the storm. It is victory in battle. It is courage in the face of the enemy—mainly man. It is wisdom in the hour of debate or moment of truth.
But, can God lie? No, He cannot! His promises are irrevocable. They cannot be changed or deterred from their purpose and intent. He is the God of integrity and Truth and The Law. He has established the covenants He promised to Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus and all who follow Him. He has a covenant with the heirs of the Promise. His word is true:
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7-9
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. “Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.
“But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. “For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off.
“You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. “No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. “And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. Exodus 23:20-28
Hence God’s true ones are to walk in their new inheritance in Christ. For when they have accepted Christ and surrendered all to Him, they have inherited the New Jerusalem. The bounty of the Rainbow Jesus Christ is theirs with all the benefits and provisions that are promised in its covenant.
God has made a covenant with His people to be God to them and their descendants after them. He has promised in the covenant that if they would indeed obey His voice and do all that He would speak to them, then He will be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries.
They shall serve the LORD their God, and He will bless their bread and water. He will take sickness away from the midst of them. None shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in their land and He will fulfill the number of their days. He will be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries. His word is unchanging:
"If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you.
"Then the LORD your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
"Also the LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. Deuteronomy 30:4-7
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
"Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Isaiah 41:10-13
All those who were incensed against God’s trusting ones shall be ashamed and disgraced and they shall be as nothing. And those who strive with them shall perish. Those who contended with them, those who war against them shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. An enemy cannot be more nothing then when he or she becomes a nonexistent thing? Yet this is what God has promised to do to the enemies of His trusting ones including put all the negative curses on those who hate and persecute them! Yet His word is unchanging:
"Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, Deuteronomy 1:29-30
"When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
"So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. "And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 'for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' Deuteronomy 20:1-4
"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, And in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!' Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew.
Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places." Deuteronomy 33:26-29
Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury."
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?'
"Now therefore, thus says the LORD: 'You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.' " So Elijah departed.
And when the messengers returned to him, he said to them, "Why have you come back?"
So they said to him, "A man came up to meet us, and said to us, 'Go, return to the king who sent you, and say to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.' " ' "
Then he said to them, "What kind of man was it who came up to meet you and told you these words?"
So they answered him, "A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite." 2 Kings 1:1-8
Those rebellious children who inquire of other gods, including men, in their hour of need shall be put to shame. For there is only One God and His word is unchanging:
"Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be your humiliation. For his princes were at Zoan, And his ambassadors came to Hanes. They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them, Or be help or benefit, But a shame and also a reproach." Isaiah 30:1-5
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, And will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity.
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. Isaiah 31:1-3
It’s not only wrong but it is sin to take counsel, but not of God, and to devise plans, but not of His Spirit. Those who walk in the ways of the world and have not asked God’s advice to strengthen themselves in the strength of the might ones and to trust in the shadow of world shall be humiliated and put to shame because they did not look to Holy One, nor seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster, and will not call back His words, but will arise against the house of evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity.
Now the worldly ones are men, and not God and their strength is flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. For God’s doesn’t lie though others do.
It’s foolish to follow men and to listen to their opinions and ignore what God has to say about everything. Yes, the Creator and Sustainer of Heaven and earth is more than qualified to speak His thoughts about any matter, be it big or small, including the fact that He is the Judge of all the earth and a man of War. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him.
The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. Nahum 1:2-8
Yes, those who find themselves fighting against God rather than fighting with Him will pay for their foolishness just like Korah, Dathan and Abiram did when they rose up against Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. The glory of God came down and the Lord did a new thing. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.
Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, "Lest the earth swallow us up also!" 5 And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. Numbers 16:31-35
Foolish men, even religious ones, believe that God is dead or He has changed His methods. They falsely believe that God doesn’t judge or destroy His people today. But what do we see around us if it isn’t the judgments of God? It’s sure isn’t heaven on earth but rather lack of earth with millions of people starving, suffering, hurting and dying.
Foolish men cannot believe that God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD who is slow to anger and great in power does not at all acquit the wicked. He has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. Yes, the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies. No, it doesn’t pay to become an enemy of God or of a true man of God, as there can be and will be severe negative consequences. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: "Man of God, the king has said, 'Come down!' " So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, "If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
Then he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he answered and said to him: "Man of God, thus has the king said, 'Come down quickly!' "
So Elijah answered and said to them, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: "Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
"Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight."
And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king.
Then he said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.' "
So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. Because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 2 Kings 1:9-18
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." Matthew 11:1-6
The Good God of miracles is alive and well today and he still makes the blind to see, the lame to walk, the deaf hear, the dead raise and the poor have the gospel preach to them, the good news that:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Because Jesus Christ became poor, lived like a man, and died on Calvary God’s children can now become rich. For God is able to make all grace about towards them, that they, always having all sufficiency in all things, many have an abundance for every good work. His word is unchanging:
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
God loves His own very deeply. He is not concerned for the future because He knows the future. It is bright and beautiful for those who are His. He is not going to allow anything to come between them and their promised future. He is not fickle or unreliable. He doesn’t change. What He has promised is written in Gold. They are pure like the Ten Commandments He has given to men on tablets of stone. They are unchangeable.
The road of life might be rocky and full of pitfalls but God Himself is on the road with them. His word is unchanging:
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. “Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. “But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
“For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. “You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.
“So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. “No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. “And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. Exodus 23:20-28
God has made a covenant with His people to be their God and a God to them. He has made a covenant to be their provider, defender, helper and everything they need. He has promised to abundantly bless and prosper them if they will listen to and obey His voice and walk in His ways. For His word is true:
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: “of sin, because they do not believe in Me; “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. John 16:7-15
The Helper, the other One, whom Jesus sent in His name will guide them into all truth. He will speak to them what He hears from the Father. He will tell them of things to come. He will glorify Jesus by taking of what belongs to Jesus and sharing it with and giving it God’s true ones. For all that belongs to Father now belong to Jesus and hence they belong to God’s true children.
All of heaven riches and resources are theirs because God, Himself, is their shield, rock, refuge, strength, friend and their exceeding great reward. They are to be of good cheer. For in the world they have tribulation but their brother and friend Jesus Christ has overcome the world. For God’s word is true:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus Christ overcame the worst that the world, the flesh and the devil had thrown at Him. He is literally the Victor and the “more than a conqueror.” As a result all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth including the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty. For all that is in heaven and in earth is the Lord’s including the kingdom of God and He is exalted as head over all. As God’s word is true:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” Daniel 4:34-35
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelations 1:4-6
Jesus Christ, is the ruler over the kings of the earth and He has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.
To Jesus Christ belong the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; as all that is in heaven and in earth is His. Both riches and honor come from Him and in His hand is power and might; to heal, deliver, make great and to give strength to all. Hence He desires and wills and works to make His trusting ones also the victory and more than the conquerors in all things.
As a result, God’s true ones are not to be concerned about the obstacles in their path. They are to take each one as it comes and do what they do best—stand! They are to take authority over it and persevere until it is out of their path by the Spirit of the Living God. For God’s word is true:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- Ephesians 6:10-18
The answers of life are not in men’s wisdom or the world’s system. It is not in the abundance of what one possess. It is in Jesus Christ, His truth and His wisdom and person in one’s spirit. This closer walk with God and His person brings a person into a position of unity with Heaven that is yet untapped and totally miss-understood.
God doesn’t want His teachers and preachers to point to themselves but to God. He wants His sheep to turn to Him and He will give them their marching orders. Then, they will find victory in battle and they will do the right kind of service to Him. They all have a part in His great plan and purposes.
Yet, God is left with a weak and hurt people. This will not be forever. He is coming through to strength His people and unite them in a way unprecedented in the history of the church. He has ordained it from the beginning. The church, His body, will learn to learn and hear His voice and follow their true shepherd. This day is coming and all will see it.
But His true ones are not to be shy. They are to ask God what they will and He will do it because He loves them so much. He has promised to do whatsoever they ask in Jesus name. They can come to His throne boldly and He will hear their prayers and He will deal with their concerns. For they have His promises, His person and Him.
Hence they can now walk in the assurance of God’s Presence in their life. For as God walked with Noah, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Elijah, and Jesus so now He walks with them.
God in Christ Jesus gives to His true ones His P’s. The P’s of His presence, promises, person, power, protection, provision, prosperity, providence and promotion:
His Presence - God is always with His own. He has commanded them to be strong and of good courage and not to be afraid, nor be dismayed. For the LORD their God is with them wherever they go and His presence goes with them to give them rest and victory.
His Promises – Every promise and every line in the bible is theirs including that no weapon which is formed against them shall prosper and those who rise against them shall become a nonexistent thing.
His Person - God is a Good God who is for them, with them and not against them. He is on their side no matter what they are facing. There is no searching of His understanding. His ears are open to their prayers and His eyes are upon the righteous to bless them.
His Power – When God’s true ones have His presence, promises and power they can trust Him to use His power for their good in all kinds of circumstances and situations. Just like God did for Jesus on Calvary when He raised Him from the dead, gave Him victory over all His enemies and seated Him at His right hand.
His Protection - God is the shield and exceeding great reward of His true ones. As well as He is their rock, refuge, strength, tower security and inheritance. He will bless and promote His own and He will deliver and honor them.
His Provision - God has promised to meet and supply all their need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus and He unlike others is able to keep His word.
His Prosperity – God is not poor or stupid and neither should His children be. He is their security and inheritance and provision in the deserts of life. He is their hiding place! He will move out every mountain and deal with every enemy and dispel every lack in their life. Their prosperity will come upon them as the dawning of a bright and new day. They will not be able to contain their joy and ecstasy at the provision and security He is providing. He will multiply back to them a hundred fold all they have done for Him.
His Providence - The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and though he fall God will not allow him to stay down but will lift him up.
His Promotion – God has promised that for those who set their love upon Him He will deliver them and set them on high because they have known His name. He has promised to make them head and not tail and above and not beneath. They shall call upon Him and He will answer them. He will be with them in trouble and deliver and honor them. With long life He will satisfy His true ones and show them His salvation.
As a result, the psalmist stated it very well about those who put their trust in God alone and not others for their deliverance:
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The LORD shall reign forever- Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! Psalm 146:5-10
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:1-9
Apostle Paul was in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. He was very conscious of his lack of strength, ability and talent. He desperately needed the Holy Spirit causing Him to trust and depend on the Lord. As a result his speech and his preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. So the faith of his converts were not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God, which they saw, demonstrated. The bible records:
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts 19:11-12
It was Paul’s desire that every one on Earth have heard the gospel and He to missionary journeys make it so even facing great dangers and trials. The bible records:
And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
"And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:18-24
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
By the grace and power of God Paul was lead to triumph in Christ and to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. His sufficiency was God and he did not peddle the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, spoke in the sight of God in Christ. The Lord, Himself, was Apostles Paul Friend, Counselor, Guide and Helper. Even though many others failed or disappointed him, God did not! His word was unchanging:
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Real men of God who did miracles in their day and brought change to their society and generation, such as Elijah, Jesus and Apostle Paul were men of prayer, of faith and of the Word. They were men of action in the things of the Spirit and in things of man. Them weren’t afraid of conflicts and took on impossible tasks which they never would have accomplished if they didn’t have an ear that heard the Voice of God. They had a prayer life that moved God’s hand and were filled with the Holy Spirit with a special anointing from God to do their tasks.
They were also men of the integrity and their word was their bond. They were men who were unafraid to do what needed to be done. When something needed doing they would pray and then do it. Their primary goal in life was to be about their Father’s business.
"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38)
Now today, a lot of teaching on faith and prayer is very contradictory and confusing. Some people teach that after we have prayed about something we needn’t pray about it about it again because it shows a lack of faith to do so. Others restrict what we can pray about and what kind of prayers God answers. Others teach that we are to confess the Word of God rather than to pray about it. Others teach us that we are to pray about everything and for everything regardless of what is in our hearts. But most of them don’t tell us that God doesn’t hear our prayers if our hearts are filled with iniquity, unforgiveness, resentment, sins and other things.
And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " (Matthew 21:13)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. (Matthew 23:14)
You and I are the temple of the Holy Ghost and God’s house because He now lives in us and when we pray our spirit and our hearts must be right and blameless before Him. If this isn’t the case we must first pray that God will create in us a new heart and spirit, and take out the stony heart of flesh, stubborn and rebellion which is in each man, and put a right spirit in us.
God then gives us a discerning heart to understand Him, His ways and others as well as how to handle the circumstances of life in a spiritual way rather than a carnal way. God gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding freely to all those who ask Him for this. If we ourselves aren’t fed and clothed how can be we feed others? If we ourselves don’t have anything how can we give others anything? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and much is accomplished especially in prayer.
So we must first pray for ourselves:
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And don’t lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6: 11-13)
But who do we listen to and how do we pray? The answer is simple, the work of God is always done by the Spirit. So we first listen to the Spirit and receive Him and let Him rule and reign in our lives. The receiving of the Holy Spirit and praying in the Spirit is done by faith and God honors faith.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Like 11:13)
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. "Then I remembered the Word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:15-17)
When we pray in the Spirit it’s God Himself, by the Spirit, praying through and in us making intercession for us. Basically, He cannot say no to Himself and He answers His own prayers in the spiritual realm.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we don’t know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)
After we pray in the Spirit and in the understanding then we know that God makes all things to work together for good to them that love God and are called and walk according to His purposes. It isn’t automatic that all things work together for good. Its as we pray that God deals with and changes things.
What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
How much do we really pray about something? The answer to this question lies in the prayers and actions of Elijah and Jesus. The Word of God tells us about Jesus.
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39)
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." (Matthew 26:42)
So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26:44)
Prayer is a conversation between two best friends and they talk about anything that is on each others hearts; especially people who are always on the heart of God. People need our prayers and it makes a difference in their lives.
We are to be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication make our requests to our friend and creator God and He will bring it to pass! We haven’t fully understood this truth. He will do it! He wills to change things! He will change things, especially when His children ask in faith believing that He will do It! Powerful prayer doesn’t come from many words but from an open and sincere heart that is full of Him. It moves the mountains out of your path and even stops and starts the rains, physical and spiritual.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it wouldn’t rain; and it didn’t rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:17-18)
Prayer is important for others and for ourselves. Jesus told us that if we had faith we will move the mountains in our lives out and cast them into the sea. We will tell the storms to be still and it will still. Most of this is accomplished in prayer first. God does hear our marvelous and wonderful prayers. He listens with the heart of a true Father and cares for His precious children and prayer warriors.
True friends can say anything to each other and they won’t take it wrong because love and the spirit of unity binds them together in true acceptance and true love. This is especially true in prayer.
"For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? (Deuteronomy 4:7)
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:4)
When we pray we have tremendous resources available to us in prayer.
"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. (Luke 3:21)
And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)
We are to pray continually and until we hear from Heaven and see our prayers answered. We are to follow the example of Elijah who lived in faith, spoke the Word of God in faith and prayed in faith until He knew that the answer was on it’s way. Elijah wouldn’t take no for an answer when He had God’s Word on the matter especially about life. For life and health is God’s will for all His people. God’s word records for our profit and instruction:
Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again."
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.' "Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD. (1 Kings 18:41-46)
Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Mark 2:15-17
The great physician cannot help those who refuse to acknowledge that they are sick. So they will die in their sickness and God cannot do anything for them. Now sickness takes many forms including physical, social, emotional and financial. If you are completely physically whole but are emotionally sick than you are not whole? If you are in great financial straits and are physically whole you are still in trouble? But God’s word is unchanging:
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:4-10
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
In Christ Jesus is found salvation for the whole man, body, soul and Spirit. While the young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. And this is a fantastic promise from a God who doesn’t lie! The sick can be healed of any sickness by the great Physician for whom nothing is too big or too small to handle. Mind you the carnal ones cannot understanding this truth because they are lot led by the Spirit of God nor do they have the mind of Christ. But God’s word is unchanging:
Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you- The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:23-27
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 5 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:12-16
Those who wait upon the Lord and walk in His ways and Spirit shall not be ashamed no matter what. They shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD their God, Who has dealt wondrously with them. For He is their Savior, Healer, Deliverer, Provider, Rock, Refuge, High Tower and everything that they need. God has power to help and to overthrow and to cause their enemies to be defeated and dismayed. He is able to restore and give all things for those who look to Him in their hour of need! His word is unchanging:
Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a loyal heart.
Now it happened, as soon as the kingdom was established for him, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father the king. However he did not execute their children, but did as it is written in the Law in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, "The fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; but a person shall die for his own sin."
Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to their fathers' houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield.
He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
But a man of God came to him, saying, "O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel-not with any of the children of Ephraim. "But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow."
Then Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?" And the man of God answered, "The LORD is able to give you much more than this."
So Amaziah discharged the troops that had come to him from Ephraim, to go back home. Therefore their anger was greatly aroused against Judah, and they returned home in great anger. 2 Chronicles 25:1-10
It doesn’t pay not to heed the word spoken by a true man of God, as the cost can and will be very costly. For God’s word is unchanging:
"And the LORD said to me: 'What they have spoken is good. 'I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 'And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him. Deuteronomy 18:17-19
"Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: "Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.' " Acts 13:40-41
But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD, And of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression And to Israel his sin.
Now hear this, You heads of the house of Jacob And rulers of the house of Israel, Who abhor justice And pervert all equity, Who build up Zion with bloodshed And Jerusalem with iniquity: Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets divine for money. Yet they lean on the LORD, and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us. Malachi 3:8-11
Many religious ones would have us believe that if you were filled with the Holy Spirit you would do nothing to upset others. But nothing is further from the truth for the bible referred to the early disciples as “"These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Where ever Apostle Paul went there would be an explosion or a riot. The bible records for our prophet and instruction:
Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? "And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:6-12
Yes, there are those false prophets in our midst who are full of all deceit and all fraud, sons of the devil, enemies of all righteousness who pervert the straight ways of the Lord and need to be dealt with by those who are filled with the Spirit. Again the bible records for our instruction:
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 7 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18
Apostle Paul was continually warning Christians about false ones be it apostles, teachers or leaders. The bible records for our profit and instruction:
"Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:26-35
Apostle Paul clearly warned God’s people to let no one deceive them with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. They were not to be partakers with fornicators, unclean persons, covetous ones, adulterers, nor idolaters. They were to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. They were to arise from the dead, and Christ would give them light. As God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:1-14
This idea of getting along with all men and closing ones eyes to their evil, wicked, and perverted ways is against the word of God. On the contrary the word of God teaches to beware of false ones and what was going on around them. For God’s word is true:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4
These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:17-22
For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:11-14
One of the great truths of the word of God is that:
The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11
Another great truth is that:
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5
And another great truth is that:
No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:16-22
Yes, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. He is their help and their shield, as well as their exceeding great reward. He redeems their life from destruction and crowns them with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
The tender mercies and lovingkindnesses of the Lord towards His trusting are never failing and they are better than life. The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. His word is unchanging:
Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle- My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.
LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow. Psalm 144:1-4
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. Psalm 146:6-9
There is no one who can do what the Lord can do, including giving freedom to the prisoners and opening the eyes of the blind. He who keeps truth forever executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. His word is true:
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:1-6
As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:15-19
Yes, the LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Yes, the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.
But those who have received God’s mercies and lovingkindness have a responsibility to give it to others. Otherwise they will find themselves in places they never expected to be. For God’s word is true:
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
"Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
"The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
"Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'
"So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
"And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
"So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
"And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
"So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." Matthew 18:21-35
Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "
The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:16-22
The real story of the rich man who kept the commandments of God shows us that you can do all things right and still miss the boat as far as God is concerned. It was hard for the man to heed what Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Nevertheless God’s word is unchanging:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:24-27
Yes, what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? The idea of being a loser in spite of all that you did in life was something that troubled apostle Paul. He was very conscious about being blameless and harmless in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation less he had run in vain or labored in vain. For these things do happen in life and God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:12-16
Those who are God’s true ones, forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead. They press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. They are beware of dogs and evil workers and worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. They count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, and press on, that they might lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of them. As God’s word is unchanging:
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:1-14
God’s true ones, unlike the carnal ones, are filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. They walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. They are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. They continually give thanks to the Father who has qualified them to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. For He has delivered them from the power of darkness and conveyed them into the kingdom of the Son of His love, and has given them redemption through His blood, as well as the forgiveness of sins.
They serve the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation by whom all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. They preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that they might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. They seek the best interests of others above their own. They obey the words of Jesus who told them:
…. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
… He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:4-8
Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Some of the meanest, stingiest, unloving, unkindest, selfish, and greedy people that I met were Christians who went to church regularly. The residue of poison of hate, envy, resentment, bitterness, greed, distrust, futility, defeat, depression etc. just oozes out from them, especially as they grow older. The "residue of poisonous sin" must have been accumulated from hurtful experiences of the past or unfulfilled dreams for God’s word states:
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Proverbs 4:20-24
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:11-18
The problem with these kinds of Christians is that they have been religious too long acquiring head knowledge about God and His word and have not experienced His love and His wonderful miracle working power. They were deceived by the enemy and by their false teachers and had not come into victory. They have not understood that Jesus was "bruised for our iniquities," He took all our hurts and the consequences upon Himself when He died on the cross, and as a result they could be free from all pain, sickness, diseases, grief, suffering caused by life or the enemy. Yes, Jesus has the power to "set at liberty (and heal) them that are bruised" (Luke. 4:18). But they must accept and enter in the rest of the finished work of the cross of Calvary and enjoy the victory that He has won for them. They must receive God's forgiveness for all things and forgive others who have hurt or offended them. Then the healing process of the inner man can begin once they let go of all the negative things in their hearts including unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, envy, lust and covetousness. God’s word is unchanging:
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew . 6:11-15
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
"So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." Matthew 18:21-35
The word of God tells us that the Israelites failed to enter into all the promised inheritance God had for them because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). The warning is given to Christians: “Since A PROMISE remains of entering HIS REST, let us fear, lest any of you seem to have come short of it­ . . . BEWARE, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.”(Heb.4:1, 3:12). Peter tells us that the Jews “stumble being disobedient TO THE WORD”(1 Pet. 2:8). A part of their trouble was that they were blinded by their traditions (Matt. 7:6-13). We need the help of the Holy Spirit to remove from us all unbelief and pride which will keep us from the many different blessing that God has for us. Human pride is at the root of most man’s stumbling through unbelief and disobedience. God’s word is unchanging
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:18-20
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
Yes, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a FALL," Pride is simply the ADULATION of SELF, wanting to be a law unto oneself, independent, with a feeling of importance, and a desire for acclaim from others. There are DEGREES of pride and ALL of us have a measure of this problem. Pride makes a person inflexible, unyielding, and unteachable, and through it one is deceived into trying to justify SELF in many ways or in opening doors to unclean and familiar spirits to do their havoc in our lives. Pride prevents us from totally depending upon Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. But we must submit and yield to the Lord in ALL things; not just initial salvation. And if in any area of our lives where we resist the INWORKING of the Spirit, through pride and self-will enter into disobedience, we are headed for a stumbling and FALL. Since "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” we must THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from us. We must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift us up. God’s word is unchanging:
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen 1 Peter 5:5-11
"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:14
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Because Jesus made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross, therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. But the practical application of all this is that when we use the name of Jesus, all of heaven backs it up with authority and power of that name! And we use that name when we pray and when we come against demonic powers and opposition.
Man is a spirit, God is a Spirit, and Satan is a spirit. Since we came from the spirit it only makes senses that all our solutions to all our problems come from the spirit - problems that are largely caused by Satan and his cohorts. We are not in a natural conflict in our problems, our sicknesses, our anxieties, our frustrations and our fears. We are in a spiritual warfare in the spirit world which is the root cause of our problems (Ephesians 6:12). Hence we must allow our hearts and life to be fertile soil for the word of God that we alone determine its yield (Matthew 13:18-23). Without the word of God and the Spirit of God, we will not defeat our enemy who is very crafty, sly, evil and devious. We must not believe the devil’s lies about God that sickness, suffering and poverty are God’s work. In reality the truth is that they are the devil’s work. God is a good God who wants to do and give good things and the devil is a bad devil who wants to do bad things and he seeks whom he may devour.
One of the big problems is not the worldliness of the world but the worldliness of the church which is very carnal and has very little understanding about God and His power. It’s a church that for most part not only rejects the gifts of the Spirit but also the five fold ministries that God gave to the church of Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The church too often is a social center, a recreational center, a prayer and bible center while deep human needs including sin, sickness, spiritual death and poverty are not dealt with by the miracle working power of God. But God has given to each man the gift of faith to obtain from God everything that He needs to be healthy, wealthy, whole and complete (Romans 12:3, Hebrews 11:32-34) God’s word is true:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:2-11
Yes, God’s divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, including faith. To the faith that God has given us we are to add virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!
We are not to take faith for granted as it’s a gift from God beyond the five senses of taste, touch, hearing, seeing and smelling. Faith can encounter every trial, problem, circumstance and make us more than a conqueror. Faith makes every equal be they rich, poor, educated and uneducated. And by faith each person can bring heaven down on earth and make things happen on earth in the current time of life including miracles of salvation, healing and deliverance. But we must hear God’s voice beyond being born again and speaking in tongues (John 3:3-8, Acts 2:4). We must have and operate in the same anointing that Jesus had and do greater works just as He has promised:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
Jesus Christ our Savior, example and our life, did nothing independently of His Father or the Holy Spirit. Through prayer He discerned the will of the Father and trusted the Holy Spirit to give Him wisdom and power to fulfill that will. Jesus Christ operated in the gifts of the Spirit and manifested all the fruits of the Spirit He was totally immersed and saturated with the Holy Spirit. He came to destroy the works of the devil including sickness, poverty and lack. He came to seek that which was lost and give miracles to people. He came to touch and transform body, soul and spirit. God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. Galatians 6:15
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10
Self will has no place in the life of a Christian especially those who are in the ministry and represent not only the character of Christ but His miracle working power. Although Satan is there to sift God’s people like wheat, God is also there to miraculously turn things around for our good and give us the victory. He can do this because He is God. But God’s people must pray continually in the Spirit which builds them up. God’s word is unchanging:
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- Ephesians 6:17-18
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20-21
Satan is a liar, deceiver, and destroyer and there is no truth in Him. All that comes out of his mouth are lies. He is the source of all lies. Sowing lies is one of his major strategies in defeated Christians who have their minds believing his lies rather than the promises of God. He lies and deceives Christian into believing that they are weak and powerless and that sickness, diseases, pain and poverty are God’s will for them. He lies and tells them that their negative circumstance or situation is permanent and they don’t have any hope for healing, deliverance and victory. But it’s all a lie from the pits of hell for Jesus Christ is their hope and victory and all that they need. He is the All sufficient one. Although Satan is the prince of the world, he is not in control of the world. It doesn’t belong to him but to God. God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. Psalm 145:9-15
"Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 12:31
When Jesus Christ went to the cross He told His disciples “the ruler of this world will be cast.” The moment Jesus Christ was raised from the dead Satan was cast out. His power and domino over men is broken. He no longer has control over men. God’s word is unchanging:
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
As the prince of the world, Satan is rule and exercises power and dominion only over the unsaved who are in this world and the evil world system he has organized. Any child of God can use the name of Jesus against him and he has to flee. Through the anointing and the fullness of the Holy Spirit God has enabled all His children to walk in one hundred percent victory. They can take the victory over the devil that belongs to them and all that he has stolen from them for greater is God that is in them than the devil that is in the world. And everything must bow at the name of Jesus for God’s word is unchanging:
"Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:20-24
We are living in that day that Jesus talked about where whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name He will give us. We can ask and we will receive so that our joy may be full. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit we now have the Spirit with out measure. Hence when we call upon the name of Jesus we invoke – put into operation – the power and authority that is in the name of Jesus to manifest the healing, deliverance, whatever we need. We can claim whatever we need – what rightfully belongs to us – and God will there to meet the need because we are Christians, Christ like, Christ empowered, Christ’s dwelling! Hence In Jesus name we can loose our angels to bring us in the now great wealth, perfect health, great anointings, many miracles, total victories, abundant prosperity, great and total restitution and restoration, houses, lands, cars and boats and every good thing for God’s word is unchanging:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 3 John 1:2-3
Victory Ministries
Walter Kambulow
November 1, 2008
All rights reserved
Burlington, Ontario
http://walthope.tripod.com/healing.htm